Real Madrid and France forward Kylian Mbappe has been completely removed from the Chinese versions of the popular video game franchise eFootball. Developer Konami announced the swift disciplinary action following severe public backlash over controversial remarks made by the player regarding late Chinese leader Mao Zedong during a recent public interview session.
The controversy erupted when the 2018 World Cup winner responded to a question concerning his favorite internet meme by referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator. The remark instantly triggered widespread outrage across various platforms in mainland China, leading multiple prominent Chinese commercial brands to sever their existing promotional partnerships with the high-profile French football star.
Konami Confirms Total Suspension
Konami issued an official statement confirming that all promotional materials, player items, and character cards linked to the Real Madrid talisman have been pulled from Chinese iterations of the software. The publisher stated that the remarks had deeply hurt public sentiments, prompting immediate preventative steps across eFootball, eFootball Online, and related titles.
- Konami suspended all promotional content and marketing assets featuring Kylian Mbappe.
- Chinese versions of eFootball and related titles halted the production of Mbappe player cards.
- Several prominent Chinese commercial brands ended endorsement partnerships with the forward.
- Local broadcasters suspended coverage of Spanish league football matches amid the fallout.
Broader Implications For Player Branding
The escalating diplomatic and commercial fallout highlights the severe financial and reputational risks global sports superstars face when making politically sensitive comments during media appearances. Industry insiders have reported that competing gaming franchises are now actively reviewing their own licensed content to evaluate whether similar removal measures should be implemented in key Asian markets. As the controversy continues to develop across digital entertainment platforms, representatives for the player have yet to release a detailed follow-up statement addressing the widespread commercial sanctions and virtual deletions.
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