Kylian Mbappé has experienced a rocky period, marked by significant setbacks. The esteemed French striker began the 2026 World Cup with lofty expectations, as his team was favored to win. However, they fell short, losing 2-0 to Spain in the semifinals. To add to his woes, Harry Kane beat him to the Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best soccer player.
Despite showing brilliance in the ‘El Clasico’ match against Barcelona, where he scored twice, Mbappé’s team, Real Madrid, lags behind in La Liga. Their goal differential of +15 doesn’t match Barcelona’s +29. Adding to the controversies, Mbappé declined to fully wear a team shirt that symbolized the ongoing tensions in Cueta.
His challenges continued when he appeared on ‘The Bridge,’ a French talk show hosted by his teammate Aurelien Tchouameni. Mbappé faced backlash for laughing at a meme involving his face over an image of Mao Zedong.
“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and around the world,” Mbappé stated in his apology.
The incident led to significant consequences, as Mbappé faced criticism from the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs and the loss of sponsorship deals in China. This mirrors previous incidents where athletes faced repercussions for their remarks about China.
OutKick’s Dan Dakich commented on the situation, highlighting the global impact and business interests of stars like Mbappé.
“Mbappé has commercials and business interests across China, and that’s all threatened,” Dakich noted.
Mbappé’s case reflects a broader pattern where athletes, such as LeBron James, often avoid criticism of China due to potential financial loss. They frequently speak on social issues when risk-free but retreat when financial stakes are involved.