Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe Issue Formal Apology to China Following Mao Zedong Controversy

POLICY WIRE — Madrid, Spain — Real Madrid issued a formal apology to the Chinese public on Wednesday following a severe backlash triggered by star striker Kylian Mbappe. The controversy stems from comments the 27-year-old made regarding former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which were perceived as deeply offensive.

The incident originated from a video interview with the French program The Bridge, which has since been removed. In the clip, Mbappe discussed an internet meme that superimposed his face onto an image of a figure he described as a Chinese dictator, a clear reference to Mao, whose legacy remains a sensitive and protected subject in China.

Real Madrid stated that the club wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any offense caused by the recent remarks of our player Kylian Mbappe. The club further noted that it stands behind the public apology issued by the player himself, in which he expressed regret and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.

Mbappe had previously released his own statement in French, Chinese, and English, admitting that his comment was ill-judged and acknowledging the pain it caused within China and among Chinese communities globally. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed during a briefing on Wednesday that the government takes the apology seriously.

The fallout has been swift and significant for the French captain. Chinese state broadcaster CMG suspended all La Liga broadcasts, while major corporate partners including Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground terminated their sponsorship agreements with the athlete. Additionally, Mbappe’s accounts on social platforms Weibo and Xiaohongshu have been frozen or banned for violating community conventions.

Retail presence for the player has also diminished, with an AFP visit to an Adidas flagship store in Beijing revealing that while Real Madrid jerseys remain in stock, all items bearing Mbappe’s name have been removed. Reports indicate that global brands such as Dior and Hublot have similarly scrubbed content featuring the striker from their Chinese social media channels.

This situation mirrors previous tensions between China and international sports leagues, most notably the 2019 dispute involving the NBA after a Houston Rockets executive expressed support for Hong Kong protests. The official People’s Daily newspaper emphasized that respecting the history, culture, and national sentiments of others is a fundamental standard for cross-border interaction.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)