Chinese Companies Reportedly Cut Ties With Mbappé After Mao Remarks
Chinese companies are cutting ties with French soccer star Kylian Mbappé after he reportedly made remarks referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator. Mbappé's image is widely featured in advertisements across China.
Fresno Visalia, CA, October 27, 2026 —
Chinese companies are reportedly cutting ties with French soccer star Kylian Mbappé after remarks attributed to him referred to Mao Zedong as a dictator, according to the available account of the trend.
Mbappé’s image is widely featured in advertisements across China, giving the reported decisions significance for his commercial presence in the country. The summary does not identify the companies involved, specify how many have ended or are ending their ties with him, or describe which advertising arrangements may be affected.
The remarks are described as reported, but no verbatim statement, date, venue or further context was provided. The available information also does not say whether Mbappé or representatives for the companies have commented, or whether the reported changes have been formally confirmed.
As a result, the scope and status of the reported departures remain unclear. The account does not provide details about the companies’ reasons beyond linking the reported decisions to the remarks, nor does it say what may happen next to existing campaigns featuring Mbappé.
The development centers on the contrast between Mbappé’s broad advertising visibility in China and the reported change in some companies’ relationships with him. Without names, specific announcements or additional context, the extent of the shift cannot be determined from the information available.
Story summarized from the original created by E. EDUARDO CASTILLO, Associated Press on www.yourcentralvalley.com, see more information here.
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