Major Chinese brands sever ties with Kylian Mbappé amid Ballon d’Or gala controversy
Kylian Mbappé has lost multiple lucrative endorsement partnerships after a viral video featuring controversial commentary provoked severe corporate backlash across Asian commercial markets.
Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappé is confronting significant corporate pushback as prominent commercial partners rapidly cancel high-profile endorsement agreements following public controversies tied to social media clips.
The sudden wave of contract cancellations emerged after footage circulated online showing the French captain making light of sensitive political topics, leading corporate sponsors to enact zero-tolerance policies regarding acts that hurt national sentiment.
Major beverage titan Dongpeng along with dairy giant Mengniu have formally confirmed the immediate termination of all promotional affiliations and commercial campaigns featuring the forward.
The financial hit comes during an otherwise high-performing period on the pitch for Mbappé, who placed second behind England’s Harry Kane at the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony.
Corporate crisis managers note that the loss of key Asian sponsorships could inflict long-term damage on the striker’s expansive global endorsement portfolio.
Neither Mbappé nor his legal team have released an official public statement addressing the commercial fallout.
