Real Madrid Issues Apology After Kylian Mbappe Video Sparks Backlash
Real Madrid issued an apology to the Chinese people on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, after French forward Kylian Mbappe referred to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator in a video clip. The controversy triggered a backlash in China, threatening broadcasting and merchandise revenue for both the club and La Liga.
The furore began when a short video clip showed a meme depicting Mbappe’s face photoshopped onto that of Mao Zedong, whom the player described as a “Chinese dictator” on a French podcast that has since been taken down. In response to the backlash, sponsors dropped Mbappe, and Chinese state-owned television suspended the broadcast of Spanish league matches. Real Madrid stated on Wednesday that the club maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture, and its citizens.
La Liga Establishes Crisis Unit as Broadcasting Rights Face Financial Threat
La Liga President Javier Tebas set up a crisis unit and met with Chinese ambassador Yao Jing to stem the fallout. Apologies from Mbappe, La Liga, and Real Madrid failed to immediately calm the situation, highlighting the high financial stakes for Spanish football. A source within La Liga told AFP that China and the United States finance the “majority” of the league’s international broadcasting rights, which were valued at 748 million euros (US$834 million) for the 2024–25 season.
🚨 BREAKING: Kylian Mbappé’s 100th Real Madrid goal. pic.twitter.com/38urkIvVNv
State-owned broadcasting platform Migu pulled Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Racing Santander from its weekend schedule, though it continued to air other league matches. Chinese brands including dairy companies Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, alongside Eastroc Beverage, ceased all cooperation with Mbappe. Despite years of internal power struggles between Javier Tebas and Real Madrid, both parties put aside their differences to protect their commercial interests in the Asian market.
Chinese Commercial Investments and Merchandise Sales Drive Spanish Clubs
Real Madrid generates between 10 and 15 per cent of its sales of jerseys and merchandise in China, according to the Real Madrid-affiliated newspaper Marca. The club counts Chinese companies among its sponsors including Hisense, sports betting firm Kaiyun Sports, and Linglong Tire. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez also owns several subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong through his publicly traded ACS group.
Since 2016, La Liga has adapted its schedule to Asian time zones to expand its viewership base. On August 3, 2026, La Liga announced a new agreement with digital giant Migu, a subsidiary of China Mobile, to broadcast 380 matches a season until 2030. Meanwhile, rival club Barcelona has opened football academies in the country, previously estimating that it had more supporters in Asia “than in Europe and America combined”.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kylian Mbappe China Controversy
What did Kylian Mbappe say about Mao Zedong?
In a French podcast episode that was subsequently removed, Mbappe discussed a meme that superimposed his face onto a military and political figure, referring to him as a “Chinese dictator.”
How has the Chinese government responded to the apologies?
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, that “We take seriously the apology that the person has made.”
Which Chinese companies cut ties with Kylian Mbappe?
Dairy companies Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, along with Eastroc Beverage, ceased all cooperation with Mbappe following the backlash.
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