Real Madrid Apologizes to China After Kylian Mbappe's 'Dictator' Remark Sparks Outrage

La Liga club Real Madrid issued an apology on Wednesday following a strong backlash in China over comments made by their French superstar Kylian Mbappe, who referred to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a "dictator." The controversy has underscored the potential risks for athletes and brands operating within the significant Chinese market, where discussions about Mao, the founding leader of modern China who governed from 1949 until his death in 1976, remain a sensitive topic.

"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. "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."

The repercussions of Mbappe's remarks have been swift. China's state-owned broadcasting platform Migu will not air Real Madrid's upcoming La Liga game against Racing Santander. Additionally, Chinese brands, including dairy companies Mengniu and Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, along with Eastroc Beverage, have suspended all collaborations with Mbappe.

Migu is scheduled to broadcast nine of the ten La Liga matches this weekend, with the Real Madrid game being the sole exception. Migu has not yet responded to requests for comment.

La Liga responded proactively by establishing a crisis unit and engaging with the Chinese ambassador, Yao Jing. This move is particularly noteworthy given the history of strained relations between La Liga President Javier Tebas and Real Madrid. Both parties have reportedly set aside their differences to address the immediate and potential long-term financial consequences stemming from Mbappe's comments.

Sources indicate that Tebas is considering a trip to China to mitigate the threat of substantial financial losses for Spanish football. La Liga is also exploring ways to enhance its institutional ties with Beijing, driven by serious concerns over a potential sharp decline in revenue, as Chinese state television awaits further conciliatory actions.

The controversial remarks originated from a now-removed video on a French podcast, where Mbappe discussed a meme that superimposed his face onto an image he described as belonging to "some guy – I think he’s a Chinese dictator." This comment followed a trend where fans created memes placing Mbappe's face on images of military and political figures, suggesting his influence within his teams. Mbappe himself has been nicknamed "the dictator" in the European press.

When questioned about China's reaction to Mbappe's apology on Wednesday, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, "We take seriously the apology that the person has made."