Real Madrid Apologises to China as Mbappé’s Mao Remarks Spark Sponsorship Fallout

Real Madrid have apologised to the Chinese people following comments by French striker Kylian Mbappé about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which triggered widespread criticism on Chinese social media and the suspension of Spanish football broadcasts in the country.

The controversy followed remarks Mbappé made during an interview with the French show The Bridge. In a clip from the interview, which has since been taken down, the forward said he found an internet meme amusing after his face was edited onto the image of a man he described as a Chinese dictator, apparently referring to Mao.

Real Madrid issued a statement on Wednesday expressing regret for any offence caused by the player’s remarks. The club said it supported the apology Mbappé had already issued and reiterated its respect for the Chinese people.

Mbappé had apologised in French, Chinese and English, admitting that his comment was ill-judged and acknowledging that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities around the world. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing took the apology seriously.

However, the controversy has already affected the player’s commercial relationships and visibility in China. Chinese beverage company Dongpeng, alongside dairy firms Mengniu and Milkground, reportedly ended partnerships with Mbappé. Chinese social media platforms Xiaohongshu and Weibo also restricted his accounts, with Weibo citing violations of its community rules.

China Media Group, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches following the controversy. The Spanish league said it deeply regretted the offence caused to Chinese fans, while the Spanish football federation postponed 24 Copa del Rey matches as a mark of respect and solidarity following the wider developments reported in Spain.

The reaction has extended beyond sports broadcasting and sponsorships. Chinese state-run newspaper Global Times criticised Real Madrid’s handling of the situation, arguing that the club’s tolerance of such behaviour had contributed to the controversy. Reports also indicated that some international brands had removed Mbappé-related content from Chinese social media, although the extent of those changes was unclear.

The dispute highlights the commercial risks international sports figures can face when remarks are perceived as disrespectful to another country’s history and national sentiments. A similar dispute occurred in 2019 when the NBA faced a backlash in China after Houston Rockets executive Daryl Morey expressed support for Hong Kong protesters.

While Real Madrid and Mbappé have both issued apologies, the impact on the player’s partnerships and Spanish football’s access to Chinese audiences remains a key concern. The controversy has also reignited debate over the responsibilities of global athletes and clubs when engaging with culturally sensitive issues.