Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has apologised to Chinese fans after a controversial video allegedly showing him joking about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered a backlash from Chinese businesses and state media.
The controversy escalated on Tuesday when China Media Group (CMG), the state-owned organisation overseeing public broadcaster CCTV, announced the suspension of broadcasts of Spain’s La Liga matches. The decision came despite public apologies from Mbappé and the Spanish football league.
The incident has placed the France captain under growing scrutiny in one of football’s major commercial markets, with reports indicating that prominent Chinese brands have severed ties with the forward following the remarks.
At the centre of the dispute is a viral video in which Mbappé reportedly discusses an internet meme featuring his face superimposed onto the image of a man he identifies as a Chinese dictator. The remark appeared to reference Mao, who ruled China until his death in 1976.
Although the authenticity of the video had not been independently verified, the controversy quickly spread, prompting criticism and demands for accountability.
Mbappé has since acknowledged that his comments were ill-judged and apologised to people who felt offended. However, the response has not prevented the dispute from escalating, with Chinese state media reportedly demanding an additional apology from Real Madrid before further discussions can take place.
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Mbappé Issues Apology in Three Languages
In an attempt to address the growing backlash, Mbappé released a statement in French, Chinese and English, acknowledging that his remarks had caused offence among Chinese supporters and communities around the world.
The footballer expressed regret over the incident and accepted that his comments had been inappropriate.
“My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologise to everyone my words have upset,” Mbappé said.
The statement represented a public effort to calm the controversy as criticism intensified across Chinese media and commercial circles.
Issuing the apology in three languages also ensured that the message reached audiences beyond his French-speaking supporters, particularly those directly affected by the remarks.
However, the reaction suggests that the apology has not fully resolved the concerns surrounding the video.
The controversy has moved beyond criticism of an individual footballer, drawing in major commercial interests and the broadcasting arrangements surrounding one of Europe’s leading domestic football competitions.
For Mbappé, the episode presents a reputational challenge at a time when his global profile extends well beyond his performances on the pitch.
Chinese State Media Suspends La Liga Broadcasts
One of the most significant developments came from China Media Group, which announced the suspension of La Liga broadcasts on Monday, before the apologies from Mbappé and the Spanish league were issued.
CMG oversees China’s public broadcaster CCTV, making its decision a major development in the fallout from the incident.
The organisation also called on Real Madrid to issue an apology, describing it as an “absolute prerequisite” for further discussions.
The demand indicates that the controversy is no longer being treated solely as a matter between Mbappé and offended supporters.
Instead, the dispute has drawn attention to the responsibilities of the football club associated with the player and the potential consequences for La Liga’s relationship with Chinese broadcasters.
La Liga subsequently apologised for the controversy and expressed regret over the reaction among Chinese fans.
The Spanish league also sought to distinguish its position from that of the player, explaining that Mbappé’s comments were made in his personal capacity and did not represent the organisation.
Nevertheless, CMG’s reported suspension decision demonstrates that the apologies have not immediately restored the broadcasting relationship.
The development could have wider implications for the visibility of Spanish football in China if the dispute remains unresolved.
Chinese Brands Reportedly Drop the Real Madrid Star
The controversy has also affected Mbappé’s commercial relationships in China.
Among the companies reportedly distancing themselves from the footballer is Dongpeng, a major Chinese beverage brand.
The reported decision adds to the pressure facing the forward as businesses respond to the public reaction surrounding the video.
For internationally recognised athletes, commercial partnerships often depend on maintaining a positive relationship with supporters across different markets. Controversies involving cultural or political sensitivities can therefore create challenges that extend beyond sporting performance.
China is an important market for international sports brands, clubs and competitions seeking to reach large audiences through sponsorships, advertising and merchandise.
When a prominent athlete becomes involved in a politically sensitive controversy, companies may face pressure to reassess their associations with that individual.
In Mbappé’s case, the reported withdrawal of commercial support illustrates how quickly an online controversy can develop into a wider reputational issue.
However, the full extent of the commercial fallout remains unclear. The available information identifies Dongpeng among the brands reportedly dropping the player but does not establish the complete number of companies affected or the financial value of any lost partnerships.
Why Jokes About Mao Zedong Can Trigger Strong Reactions in China
The controversy centres on Mao Zedong, a historically significant and politically sensitive figure in China.
Mao led the Chinese Communist Party to power in 1949 and remained the country’s dominant leader until his death in 1976.
His legacy remains deeply contested. While he is associated with the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, policies implemented during his leadership have also been linked by historians to mass starvation, political persecution and millions of deaths.
Because of Mao’s central place in China’s modern history, references to him can carry political and cultural implications that extend beyond ordinary celebrity humour.
Jokes involving the former leader may be particularly sensitive among audiences who regard such remarks as disrespectful to China’s history or national identity.
The reported meme involving Mbappé’s face superimposed on Mao’s image therefore became more than a routine internet joke once the footballer’s comments attracted widespread attention.
The controversy highlights the challenges international celebrities face when humour circulates across cultural and political boundaries.
A remark that might be interpreted as casual banter in one setting can be received very differently in another, particularly when it involves a figure whose legacy remains politically sensitive.
In this case, the reaction has extended from online discussion to commercial decisions and the actions of a major state media organisation.
La Liga Attempts to Distance Itself From the Controversy
La Liga’s response has focused on expressing regret while making clear that Mbappé’s comments do not represent the league’s official position.
The organisation apologised for the reaction among Chinese supporters, seeking to address the concerns raised by the incident.
By emphasising that the remarks were made in Mbappé’s personal capacity, the league attempted to separate the player’s conduct from the competition itself.
However, CMG’s demand for an apology from Real Madrid introduces another complication.
The Spanish league, the football club and the player are separate entities, meaning that an apology from one does not automatically resolve concerns involving the others.
CMG’s position suggests that it wants a direct response from Real Madrid before considering further discussions about the broadcasts.
Whether the club will issue the requested apology, and whether that would be sufficient to restore the broadcasting arrangement, remains unclear.
The situation also demonstrates how the actions of an individual footballer can affect the public image and commercial interests of organisations associated with him.
What the Controversy Means for Mbappé and Real Madrid
The incident creates a challenge for Mbappé at a time when his reputation extends across football, advertising and international popular culture.
As one of the world’s most recognisable footballers, his public statements can attract considerable attention, particularly when they involve politically sensitive subjects.
The reported withdrawal of Chinese commercial support could affect his business relationships in the market, while the suspension of La Liga broadcasts raises broader questions about the consequences for Spanish football’s visibility in China.
For Real Madrid, CMG’s demand for an apology places the club in an uncomfortable position because the controversy involves one of its most prominent players.
The club’s response could influence how the dispute develops, although the available information does not establish what action it intends to take.
La Liga also faces the challenge of repairing relations with Chinese audiences and broadcasters after the suspension announcement.
The immediate priority for the organisations involved will be addressing the concerns that prompted the backlash and determining whether the existing commercial and broadcasting relationships can be restored.
Apology Fails to Immediately End the Backlash
Mbappé’s public apology has acknowledged the offence caused by his remarks, while La Liga has also expressed regret over the reaction among Chinese fans.
Yet the controversy continues to develop, with CMG maintaining its demand for an apology from Real Madrid and reports indicating that Chinese brands have already withdrawn their support for the player.
The situation underscores the potential consequences of politically sensitive remarks in an increasingly interconnected sports and entertainment industry.
For international football stars, maintaining relationships with supporters across different cultures requires an awareness of how public comments may be interpreted far beyond their original context.
Whether Mbappé’s apology will eventually ease the backlash remains uncertain.
For now, the dispute has become a wider issue involving commercial partnerships, international broadcasting and the cultural sensitivities surrounding one of China’s most influential historical figures.
The coming days may determine whether the controversy can be contained or whether its consequences will continue to affect Mbappé, Real Madrid and La Liga in the Chinese market.
