Spanish football giants Real Madrid have apologised to the Chinese people following controversial remarks by their star forward, Kylian Mbappé, which sparked widespread criticism and threatened the club’s relationship with its supporters in China.
The club issued a statement on Wednesday, October 28, expressing regret over the comments and reaffirming its respect for China, its history, culture and citizens.
Real Madrid also acknowledged the millions of Chinese fans who support the club, stressing its commitment to promoting mutual respect and understanding across different cultures.
The apology came a day after Mbappé publicly expressed regret over his remarks, which were interpreted as referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a dictator.
How the controversy started
The controversy erupted after a video from a French podcast circulated online, showing Mbappé discussing an internet meme featuring his face edited onto the image of a Chinese political leader.
Although the French international did not explicitly name Mao in the clip, his description was widely interpreted as referring to the former leader, triggering an angry reaction among Chinese fans and commentators.
Mbappé subsequently admitted that his comments were ill-judged and apologised to those offended, insisting that he had deep respect for the Chinese people and their history.
Chinese companies cut ties with Mbappé
The fallout has extended beyond social media, with several Chinese companies ending their commercial partnerships with the footballer.
Beverage company Dongpeng, dairy giant Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech were among the businesses that announced they were terminating their agreements with Mbappé following the controversy.
China’s state broadcaster also suspended broadcasts involving La Liga and the French striker, adding pressure on Spanish football authorities to address the situation.
La Liga and its president, Javier Tebas, have separately apologised to Chinese fans and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining positive relations with the country.
Real Madrid seeks to repair relations
In its statement, Real Madrid said it shared the apology already issued by its player and hoped to strengthen its longstanding relationship with Chinese supporters.
The club emphasised that respect, peaceful coexistence and understanding between cultures remained central to its values.
However, the controversy has raised questions about the commercial consequences of public comments by globally recognised athletes, particularly in markets where cultural and historical sensitivities can significantly influence sponsorship relationships.
For Mbappé and Real Madrid, attention will now turn to whether the apologies can ease the backlash and help restore damaged commercial and broadcasting relationships in China.
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