Mbappé China row: Dugarry blames La Liga and entourage for communication failure

Dugarry criticises Mbappé's communication team for failing to prevent the Mao Zedong joke video, saying the Real Madrid star was let down by La Liga and his entourage.

Kylian Mbappé faced a diplomatic crisis after a video emerged of him joking about Mao Zedong during a podcast appearance with Aurélien Tchouameni. The France captain lost several Chinese sponsors and drew criticism from La Liga and its president Javier Tebas.

Christophe Dugarry, speaking on RMC's Rothen s'enflamme, said Mbappé had made too many communication errors for someone known as a communications specialist. However, Dugarry argued the Real Madrid forward was not solely responsible. He criticised La Liga for failing to properly brief clubs and players on the terms of its Chinese partnerships and what could or could not be said publicly. Dugarry also blamed Mbappé's entourage, saying that for a global star whose every word carries weight, the message should have been reviewed before release.

Dugarry added that Mbappé has become a "punching ball" from all sides—some hate him, millions in China now despise him, and others criticise him for apologising, accusing him of prioritising money over the principles he once claimed to hold.