Real Madrid and its star forward Kylian Mbappé issued public apologies on Wednesday after a joke that likened the former Chinese leader Mao Zedong to a cartoon character sparked outrage across China, leading to the removal of La Liga matches from state television and the termination of multiple Chinese brand partnerships.
Key facts
- The apology was released on 28 October 2026, the day after Mbappé posted a multilingual statement saying his comment was "ill‑judged" and had hurt Chinese people worldwide.
- The club’s statement, issued by Real Madrid, echoed Mbappé’s regret and affirmed respect for the Chinese public.
- China’s state broadcaster CCTV halted La Liga coverage, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China acknowledged the apology in a regular briefing.
- Chinese companies Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground announced the end of their collaborations with the player.
- Social media platforms Weibo and Xiaohongshu froze Mbappé’s accounts, citing violations of local regulations.
What did Real Madrid say?
The club released a notice saying it "wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any offence caused by the recent remarks of our player Kylian Mbappé" and affirmed that it stood by the player’s own public apology.
How did Chinese authorities respond?
A spokesperson for the foreign ministry, Guo Jiakun, told reporters that the government "takes seriously the apology the individual concerned has made". The state‑run newspaper People’s Daily later published an editorial urging respect for history and national sentiment.
What commercial fallout occurred?
Following the controversy, Dongpeng, a major beverage producer, cut ties with Mbappé, as did dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground. Luxury brands such as Dior and Hublot were reported to have removed Mbappé‑related content from their Weibo pages, though an AFP search found no such posts.
Background on the controversy
The incident originated from a clip of a French interview on the programme "The Bridge" where Mbappé laughed at an internet meme that placed his face on an image of a Chinese dictator, clearly referencing Mao. In China, mocking Mao is considered a serious taboo, given the historical attribution of millions of deaths to his policies. The clip was quickly taken down, but the meme had already circulated, prompting a wave of criticism on platforms like Weibo, some of which contained racist language.
Impact on La Liga and the club’s presence in China
La Liga confirmed it regretted the offence caused to Chinese fans and noted the suspension of its broadcasts in the country. When AFP visited the Adidas flagship in Beijing’s Sanlitun district, Real Madrid jerseys were on display, but none bore Mbappé’s name, indicating the brand’s cautious stance.
The episode mirrors previous tensions between Chinese authorities and foreign sports leagues, such as the 2019 suspension of NBA games after a tweet supporting Hong Kong protests. Officials reiterated that respecting the cultural and historical sensitivities of other nations remains a cornerstone of international sporting relations.