Real Madrid have apologised to the Chinese public after comments by Kylian Mbappe about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong sparked widespread criticism. The controversy has raised concerns about the club’s commercial ties in China and prompted La Liga to step in to limit the potential damage.
The Spanish giants issued their apology on Wednesday, expressing regret over the impact of their star forward’s remarks. The club also reaffirmed its respect for China, its history, its culture and its millions of football fans.
However, the situation has already affected the club’s presence in the Chinese market. Migu, a Chinese state-owned streaming platform, reportedly removed Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Racing Santander from its broadcast schedule.
Several Chinese companies have also reportedly suspended commercial partnerships with Mbappe. The developments have increased pressure on Real Madrid and La Liga to resolve the dispute.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has reportedly established a special team to manage the crisis. He has also met Chinese ambassador Yao Jing as efforts continue to protect Spanish football’s commercial interests in the country.
Real Madrid Issue Official Apology to China
Real Madrid released a statement on Wednesday to address the controversy surrounding Mbappe’s comments.
The club expressed regret over the discomfort caused by the French forward’s remarks and sought to reaffirm its relationship with Chinese supporters.
“Real Madrid CF apologises to the Chinese people for the discomfort caused by the recent words of our player, Kylian Mbappe,” the club said in its statement.
Real Madrid also stressed its respect for China’s history, culture and people. The club highlighted its appreciation for the millions of Chinese fans who support the Spanish side.
The apology came after earlier statements from Mbappe and La Liga failed to put an end to the controversy.
The situation is particularly sensitive because Mao Zedong remains a significant historical figure in China. Mao led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976, and public discussion of his legacy can attract strong reactions.
For Real Madrid, the issue extends beyond a single public statement. The club must now work to rebuild confidence among supporters, broadcasters and commercial partners in one of the world’s largest consumer markets.
Real Madrid Match Missing From Chinese Broadcast Schedule
One of the clearest signs of the controversy’s impact has emerged in sports broadcasting.
Migu, a streaming platform owned by China Mobile, reportedly will not show Real Madrid’s match against Racing Santander on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
The decision stands out because Migu was scheduled to broadcast nine of the 10 La Liga matches that weekend. Real Madrid’s fixture was reportedly the only game excluded from the schedule.
The platform had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment at the time of the report.
The omission could create further concerns for La Liga, which relies on international broadcasting agreements to reach fans around the world.
China represents an important market for football clubs seeking to grow their audiences and attract commercial partners. A dispute that affects broadcast coverage could therefore have consequences beyond one match.
However, the reported scheduling decision does not, by itself, confirm a permanent broadcasting ban against Real Madrid.
The situation remains fluid as the club and league attempt to address the concerns surrounding Mbappe’s comments.
Chinese Companies Suspend Partnerships With Mbappe
The controversy has also affected Mbappe’s commercial relationships.
Several Chinese companies have reportedly suspended their partnerships with the France international. The businesses named in reports include dairy producer Mengniu, Shanghai Milkground Food Tech and beverage maker Eastroc Beverage.
These developments highlight the risks that public figures can face when their comments trigger strong reactions in major international markets.
For global brands, commercial partnerships depend on maintaining positive relationships with customers. A controversy involving a high-profile athlete can therefore lead companies to review their sponsorship arrangements.
Mbappe is one of the most recognisable figures in world football, and his commercial appeal extends well beyond Europe.
The reported suspensions could put pressure on his business relationships in China. They may also encourage other companies to assess how the situation develops before making further decisions.
Neither the full financial impact nor the duration of the reported suspensions has been established in the supplied report.
For now, the episode shows how quickly a public controversy can move from social media discussions into broadcasting and commercial partnerships.
La Liga Forms a Crisis Team to Limit the Damage
La Liga has moved to manage the situation as concerns grow about possible financial losses.
President Javier Tebas has reportedly formed a dedicated team to coordinate the league’s response. He has also met Chinese ambassador Yao Jing as part of efforts to address the dispute.
The response is notable because relations between Tebas and Real Madrid have often been tense. The club has previously criticised the league president and called for his resignation.
Despite those disagreements, both sides now face a shared concern: protecting Spanish football’s position in China.
Reports indicate that La Liga is considering stronger institutional engagement with Beijing. Tebas is also reportedly considering a visit to China to help ease tensions.
The league’s response reflects the potential consequences of allowing the dispute to continue.
A prolonged loss of access to broadcasters or commercial partners could affect the wider competition, not just Real Madrid.
The priority for La Liga is to maintain dialogue, understand the concerns raised and prevent the controversy from damaging its long-term relationships in the Chinese market.
How the Kylian Mbappe Controversy Started
The dispute began with a video from a French-language podcast that has since been deleted.
In the recording, Mbappe discussed a humorous meme that placed his face over the image of a person he described as a Chinese dictator.
Fans have previously created similar memes featuring Mbappe in images of political and military leaders. The jokes often portray him as someone with unusual influence over the clubs he represents.
Some European media outlets have even used the nickname “the dictator” in reference to these memes.
However, comments involving Mao Zedong carry a different meaning in China, where references to the former leader can be particularly sensitive.
The controversy grew after the clip circulated and attracted criticism. Subsequent apologies from Mbappe and La Liga did not immediately settle the issue.
On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed Mbappe’s apology.
“We take seriously the apology made by the person concerned,” Guo said when asked about China’s response.
His comments acknowledged the apology, although they did not establish that the wider dispute had been resolved.
What Happens Next for Real Madrid and La Liga?
Real Madrid now face the challenge of protecting their reputation while maintaining relationships with Chinese supporters and business partners.
The club has issued an apology and reaffirmed its respect for China. La Liga has also begun diplomatic and institutional efforts to contain the fallout.
However, the reported broadcasting change and commercial suspensions show that the consequences may take time to address.
Several developments will be important to watch:
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Broadcast coverage: Whether Migu restores Real Madrid matches to its schedule.
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Commercial partnerships: Whether the Chinese companies involved resume their relationships with Mbappe.
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Diplomatic engagement: Whether further talks between La Liga and Chinese representatives ease tensions.
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Club response: Whether Real Madrid takes additional steps to rebuild trust with Chinese supporters.
For now, the controversy remains a serious challenge for the club and the Spanish league.
The episode also offers a wider lesson for international football. Players and clubs operate in global markets where comments can have consequences far beyond the pitch.
Real Madrid’s apology marks an important step, but the longer-term outcome will depend on how the club, La Liga and their Chinese partners handle the situation in the coming days.
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