Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé triggered a geopolitical and commercial storm in China after admitting in an interview that he and his friends used a photo montage superposing his face onto historical leader Mao Zedong, whom the French international described as a “dictador”. The remarks, which quickly went viral across Chinese social media platforms, have jeopardized multi-million-euro broadcasting deals, corporate sponsorships, and merchandising revenues for both the player and LaLiga.
Broadcasting Agreements and Subscriber Reach at Stake
The fallout threatens commercial partnerships that underpin the league’s international expansion. On August 3, LaLiga announced a broadcasting agreement running through 2030 with Migu, a digital streaming subsidiary of state-owned telecommunications giant China Mobile, covering 380 matches per season. Market analysis from Phillip Securities Group indicates that China Mobile operates with an annual business volume of approximately 4 billion euros, while Migu serves over 520 million platform subscribers with an annual growth rate exceeding 8 percent. LaLiga’s financial report for the 2024/25 season places total broadcasting revenue at 1,576.3 million euros, with international markets accounting for roughly 40 percent, or 748 million euros.
Chinese Firms and Platforms Cut Ties with Mbappé
In China, the reaction from the corporate sector and regulatory platforms was swift. Major commercial entities—including beverage firm Dongpeng, dairy producer Mengniu, and cheese brand Milkground—rescinded their sponsorship contracts with Mbappé immediately following the remarks. Simultaneously, digital platform Xiaohongshu blocked the player’s account for community guideline violations, cutting off access to more than 1.1 million followers. State broadcaster CCTV suspended its airing of Spanish league fixtures and Real Madrid matches, while interactions on Weibo surrounding the controversy surpassed 430 million views, prompting widespread calls for boycotts.
Mbappé Apologizes for Remarks About Mao Zedong
Confronted with mounting pressure, Mbappé issued an apology on Tuesday in Chinese, French, and English, acknowledging that his remarks were unfortunate and admitting he failed to gauge the cultural and historical sensitivity surrounding Mao Zedong. “I apologize to all the people whom my words have offended. It was not my intention at all. I have a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely regretful,” the forward wrote in his statement. Meanwhile, LaLiga president Javier Tebas held a meeting with Yao Jing, the Chinese ambassador to Spain, to reaffirm bilateral ties and protect existing agreements such as the partnership with Migu and a strategic memorandum with the Chinese Professional Football League. “Our commitment is to continue working together so that an individual episode does not harm the important progress achieved nor affect the millions of Chinese fans who follow our competitions,” Tebas stated.
Real Madrid Faces Financial Pressure in China
The controversy also places financial pressure on Real Madrid, which holds a 20 percent stake in Mbappé’s image rights. Between 10 and 15 percent of the club’s international merchandising revenue originates from China, where the striker’s jersey stands as the top seller among local supporters. The situation echoes historical viewership figures in the Asian market, where a single match featuring Wu Lei—the first Chinese player to score in LaLiga during his 2019 stint with Espanyol—drew an audience of 40 million viewers in his home country. As club and league officials monitor the commercial fallout, attention shifts to whether upcoming fixtures involving Real Madrid and LaLiga will be fully restored across state and digital broadcasting networks in the region.
More on Mao Zedong
Chinese state television has suspended broadcasts of La Liga matches following remarks by Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe about Mao Zedong, state-owned China Media Group announces. pic.twitter.com/LGYgvZ1oN8
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