Real Madrid Apologizes to China Over Mbappé's Mao 'Dictator' Remark

Real Madrid apologized on Wednesday to "the Chinese people" after forward Kylian Mbappe called former Chinese leader Mao Zedong a "dictator" during a French podcast appearance, according to Al Jazeera. The club's statement said it holds "deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens," and apologized for "any discomfort caused by the recent words of our player."

What did Mbappé actually say?

In a now-removed video from the French podcast, Mbappe is heard reacting to a meme that photoshopped his face onto an image he described as "some guy — I think he's a Chinese dictator," Al Jazeera reported. Mbappe and La Liga issued earlier apologies that did not stop the backlash, prompting Real Madrid's own statement, per the same report. HTT News covered Mbappe's personal apology separately in its initial report.

What is the financial exposure for Real Madrid and La Liga?

China's state-owned broadcaster Migu is skipping Real Madrid's match against Racing Santander on Sunday while airing nine of La Liga's other 10 games that weekend, Al Jazeera reported, citing the league's broadcast schedule. La Liga President Javier Tebas formed a crisis unit and met with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing, and sources told Al Jazeera that Tebas is weighing a trip to China to head off a larger revenue hit for Spanish football.

Which sponsors have cut ties with Mbappé?

Three Chinese brands have ended cooperation with Mbappe, according to Al Jazeera: dairy companies Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, and Eastroc Beverage. A photo distributed by AFP and cited by Al Jazeera showed bottles of Dongpeng Beverage Group's "Bushuila" electrolyte drink still carrying Mbappe's image on store shelves in Beijing as of October 27.

Why is mocking Mao a commercial risk in China?

Mao Zedong, who led China from 1949 until his death in 1976, remains a figure whose public mockery is treated as a social taboo, Al Jazeera reported. For athletes and brands operating in China's market, that taboo converts a single remark into contract and broadcast risk — the mechanism now playing out with Migu's blackout and the sponsor exits.

Timeline: how the controversy moved from podcast to apology

• Mbappe's remark surfaces on a French podcast, which is later taken down.
• Mbappe and La Liga issue initial apologies; backlash continues in China.
• Tebas sets up a league crisis unit and meets Ambassador Yao Jing.
• Mengniu, Shanghai Milkground Food Tech and Eastroc Beverage end cooperation with Mbappe.
• Real Madrid issues its club-level apology on Wednesday.
• Migu confirms it will air nine of 10 weekend La Liga games, excluding Real Madrid's match against Racing Santander.

What happens next for Real Madrid in China?

La Liga said it will consider deeper institutional engagement with Beijing as it assesses the revenue impact, Al Jazeera reported, while Chinese state television awaits further gestures of reconciliation. Migu had not responded to a Reuters request for comment as of the report. The episode also arrives amid a separate, unrelated power dispute between Tebas and Real Madrid, which the two sides set aside to address the China fallout jointly, according to Al Jazeera.

By the numbers

• 9 of 10 weekend La Liga matches will air on Migu; Real Madrid's is the exception.
• 3 Chinese sponsors — Mengniu, Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, Eastroc Beverage — have dropped Mbappe so far.
• 1949–1976: the years Mao Zedong led China, per Al Jazeera's report.