Mbappe comments on Mao Zedong may cost Real Madrid Chinese revenue
Spanish daily Marca reports Kylian Mbappe’s remarks about Mao Zedong could see Real Madrid lose a significant share of its commercial income from China.
Key Takeaways
AISpanish newspaper Marca has reported that comments by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe about Chinese leader Mao Zedong could put the club in a financial crisis, with expectations it could lose up to 15% of its commercial revenue due to anger in China over the French striker’s remarks.
The controversy erupted after Mbappe, during an appearance on the show "The Bridge," referenced a viral online meme showing his face superimposed on an image of a person he described as the Chinese "dictator," referring to Mao Zedong.
Marca noted that 10% to 15% of Real Madrid’s revenue depends on the Chinese market, where Mbappe’s jersey is the top-selling product. However, there are concerns these earnings could be lost following calls to boycott official merchandise linked to the French forward.
The newspaper added that Chinese platform Red Note has begun removing content related to the Real Madrid striker, despite previous cooperation agreements and advertising campaigns with him. The club also fears that Chinese tourists may avoid visiting Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, resulting in a significant loss of income.