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Wednesday, 28 October 2026AboutAdvertiseContact

Mbappé faces sponsor backlash in China over historical remarks

Chinese state media warns the footballer that his apology will be assessed based on future conduct.

a football player standing on a field with his hands on his hips
Illustrative image. Photo: Ashley Levinson on Unsplash

At a glance

  • Chinese state media cautioned that Mbappé's apology will be judged by his future behaviour
  • Sponsors have terminated ties with the footballer over the incident
  • The backlash followed viral content related to the remarks

Kylian Mbappé has faced a backlash in China after remarks referring to a historical figure drew criticism. Chinese state media indicated that an apology issued by the footballer would be evaluated against his subsequent actions.

Some sponsors have ended their associations with Mbappé in response to the controversy.

Why it matters

The incident highlights how athletes' public statements can trigger significant commercial and reputational consequences across different markets.

Original reporting

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.