Mbappé apologises as China fallout hits LaLiga and Real Madrid finances

Kylian Mbappé has issued a public apology after a video emerged showing the Real Madrid forward appearing to joke about memes comparing him to Mao Zedong. 'My comment was reckless… it was absolutely not my intention,' Mbappé said in a statement, according to reports.

The backlash in China has moved well 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, Record and AS report.

The financial exposure is substantial. El Mundo reports that 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. Mundo Deportivo notes that 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', AS reported.

Mbappé, whose FootVal valuation stands at €204m, has scored 11 goals in 10 appearances for Real Madrid this season. Mao Zedong, who led China from 1949 until his death in 1976, remains a revered figure within the Chinese Communist Party, and references deemed disrespectful are considered a serious social and political taboo.