Mbappé and Real Madrid apologize to China after Mao Zedong controversy

Real Madrid issued an official apology to the Chinese people on Wednesday, following Kylian Mbappé’s apology the day before, after the French striker sparked significant indignation in China by referencing Mao Zedong during a podcast.

It all started with an excerpt from the podcast The Bridge, in which the France captain discussed memes that distorted his image. When asked which one made him laugh the most, Mbappé mentioned a parody depicting him as a “Chinese dictator,” in reference to Mao Zedong. The reaction in China was immediate: any joke targeting this historical figure is extremely sensitive there.

On Tuesday, Mbappé had already acknowledged his clumsy remarks and apologized, stating that he deeply respects the Chinese people and their history. But the concrete consequences quickly accumulated: several Chinese companies announced the termination of their partnerships with the player, and Chinese state television suspended the broadcast of La Liga matches.

Real Madrid chose to speak out in turn through an official statement. “Real Madrid CF wishes to apologize to the Chinese people for any inconvenience caused by the recent remarks of our player Kylian Mbappé. Our club demonstrates deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese supporters who hold affection and admiration for Real Madrid,” the club wrote.

The statement clarified that “the club joins the public apologies presented by Kylian Mbappé, in which the player himself expressed his regrets for his remarks and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people,” before reaffirming “its commitment to the values of respect, coexistence and understanding between cultures.”

The matter now extends far beyond the sporting sphere. The suspension of La Liga matches by Chinese state television illustrates the commercial and diplomatic repercussions that a statement from a global football star can generate in a market that European clubs have actively courted for years.