Discipline
Mbappé apologises as China fallout hits LaLiga and Real Madrid finances
LaLiga president Javier Tebas acknowledged the damage caused, as reports detail the commercial stakes: 520 million subscribers and 10% of Real Madrid's international merchandise revenue.
Golviva NewsroomUpdated
Kylian Mbappé has issued a public apology after a video emerged showing the Real Madrid forward apparently joking about a meme comparing him to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People's Republic of China who died in 1976. In the clip, Mbappé is alleged to call Mao a 'Chinese dictator' and laugh, describing it as his favourite meme.
The backlash in China moved quickly beyond Mbappé personally. China Central Television suspended its broadcasts of LaLiga matches, and at least three major Chinese sponsors — drinks firms Dongpeng and Mengniu, and dairy brand Milkground — terminated their commercial agreements with the player, multiple outlets report. Dongpeng said in a statement that it 'firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behaviour that offends national sentiments'.
The financial exposure is substantial. Reports indicate the dispute puts at risk a market of 520 million subscribers, 430 million video views, and approximately 10% of Real Madrid's international merchandise revenue. Real Madrid contractually retains a percentage of its players' image-rights income, meaning the club is directly affected.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas responded on social media, writing that the league 'understands the harm caused' and is 'taking measures within its reach to overcome this situation', according to AS. The Athletic has since examined the broader possible consequences for Mbappé, Real Madrid and LaLiga's commercial presence in China.
Mbappé, whose FootVal valuation stands at €203m, has scored 11 goals in 10 appearances for Real Madrid this season. Mao remains a revered figure within the Chinese Communist Party, and references deemed disrespectful are treated as a serious political and social taboo.
Sources
This article is based on reports by:
- L'Équipe — Des entreprises chinoises rompent avec Kylian Mbappé et l'accusent d'avoir heurté « les sentiments nationaux »
- BBC Sport — Chinese brands drop Mbappe as backlash grows over Mao joke
- The Athletic — Why Kylian Mbappe angered China - and the possible consequences for him, Madrid and La Liga
- The Guardian — Kylian Mbappé dropped by Chinese brands for ‘offending national sentiments’
- ESPN — Chinese brands drop Mbappé after comment about 'Chinese dictator' mem
- Mundo Deportivo — El 'meme' de Mbappé que enfadó a China
- CBS Sports — Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe apologizes after Mao meme comments amid growing backlash in China
- Mirror — Kylian Mbappe faces China backlash as major sponsors cut ties over Mao Zedong meme
- talkSPORT — Kylian Mbappe forced to apologise for Mao Zedong joke after backlash in China
Written by the Golviva newsroom from the reports below, with figures from Golviva’s own database. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. · How we report
