Real Madrid on Wednesday, 29 October 2026 issued a formal apology to the Chinese people following a controversy sparked by forward Kylian Mbappe, who referred to Mao Zedong as a 'dictator' during a French television appearance. The Spanish football giants joined a separate apology already made by Mbappe himself, reaffirming the club's deep respect for China's history, culture, and citizens.

What Real Madrid Said

'Real Madrid CF wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappe,' the club stated in its official release on Wednesday. The club added: 'Our club maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid.'

Real Madrid also reaffirmed its commitment to 'the values of respect, coexistence and understanding between cultures,' and expressed its desire to continue strengthening ties of friendship with China and its citizens.

How the Controversy Erupted

The row began after a video clip from the French talk show 'The Bridge' circulated widely, in which Mbappe discussed a meme depicting his face superimposed on an image resembling Mao — the late Chinese Communist Party chairman and founding leader of the People's Republic of China. According to reports citing the BBC, Mbappe reportedly told the show: 'The meme that makes me laugh the most is the one where there's a video of a guy; I think it's a Chinese dictator...' He was then seen laughing as the clip cut to the meme in question.

The remarks triggered an immediate and sharp backlash in China. Three Chinese companies reportedly severed their commercial partnerships with the France captain. State-owned newspaper The Global Times reported that state broadcaster CCTV's news apps would no longer feature content related to Mbappe. Chinese media also reported on Tuesday that CCTV would stop airing La Liga matches.

Mbappe's Own Apology

Mbappe subsequently issued a personal apology, acknowledging the damage his words had caused. 'My comment was ill-judged, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world,' he said in a statement. He added: 'I apologise to everyone my words have upset. This was absolutely not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.'

LaLiga and Tebas Also Step In

The apologies extended beyond the club itself. LaLiga clarified that Mbappe's remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the organisation. LaLiga president Javier Tebas also apologised publicly to Chinese supporters and announced plans to develop an awareness and communication protocol with clubs and players to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Wider Fallout and What Comes Next

The episode highlights the commercial sensitivities that top European football clubs face in maintaining their relationships with China, one of the sport's fastest-growing markets. Real Madrid counts millions of Chinese fans among its global following, and the potential loss of broadcast rights and sponsorship deals makes the stakes particularly high. This is not the first time a high-profile athlete's off-field remarks have provoked a significant commercial and diplomatic response from Chinese stakeholders. Whether CCTV's suspension of La Liga broadcasts proves temporary will likely depend on the credibility of the apologies issued by all parties.