--- title: "Kylian Mbappe sparks outrage in China over Mao Zedong comment" url: https://noti.group/kylian-mbappe-sparks-outrage-in-china-over-mao-zedong-comment/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-10-28T12:56:24.000Z updated: 2026-10-28T14:27:51.167Z id: 8d61d49d-caa7-4613-97a7-2d370db59089 source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/28/real-madrid-apologise-to-chinese-people-for-mbappes-mao-dictator-remark?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/kylian-mbappe-sparks-outrage-in-china-over-mao-zedong-comment/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Kylian Mbappe sparks outrage in China over Mao Zedong comment Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has sparked widespread outrage in China after referring to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a "dictator", prompting the club and La Liga to issue apologies. Real Madrid has issued a public apology to the people of China after one of its star players made a comment that was widely criticized as insensitive. The controversy erupted when French player Kylian Mbappe referred to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong as a "dictator". The remark sparked widespread outrage in China, where Mao is revered by many as a founding figure and the country's modern history began under his leadership. La Liga President Javier Tebas took swift action to address the backlash, setting up a crisis unit and meeting with China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing. Apologies from Mbappe and La Liga had previously failed to calm tensions in China. The incident highlights the risks that athletes and sports brands face when engaging with the lucrative Chinese market, where certain topics, such as Mao's rule, are considered off-limits due to their sensitive nature. Migu, China's state-owned broadcasting platform, has announced it will not air Real Madrid's La Liga game against Racing Santander on Sunday. This decision comes as a result of the recent controversy surrounding French forward Kylian Mbappe's comments about Mao Zedong. The absence of Real Madrid's match from Migu's lineup is notable, given that the platform is scheduled to broadcast nine out of ten La Liga games this weekend. The move reflects the significant backlash against Real Madrid and its star player in China. Chinese brands have also taken steps to distance themselves from Mbappe, with several companies halting their partnerships with him. This includes Mengniu, Shanghai Milkground Food Tech, and Eastroc Beverage, which are among the top dairy companies in China. La Liga officials have been working closely with Real Madrid to address the crisis, setting up a special unit to manage the fallout from Mbappe's comments. The move is seen as an attempt to mitigate the potential financial losses for Spanish football, following years of strained relations between La Liga and Real Madrid. La Liga is considering ways to strengthen its ties with Beijing as it faces significant financial concerns. The organisation's efforts come amid a backdrop of strained relations between Spanish football and Chinese authorities. Years of tension have taken their toll on revenue for La Liga, prompting the need for reconciliation. Chinese state television has been waiting for further gestures from Real Madrid and other teams to indicate a genuine commitment to improving ties with Beijing. This move is seen as an attempt by La Liga to mitigate potential financial losses following years of strained relations between Spanish football and Chinese authorities. La Liga's efforts may be seen as a response to the controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappe's comments about China, which sparked widespread concern in the country. The apology offered by Real Madrid has been acknowledged by Beijing, with foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stating that the apology is being taken seriously. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/28/real-madrid-apologise-to-chinese-people-for-mbappes-mao-dictator-remark?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/kylian-mbappe-sparks-outrage-in-china-over-mao-zedong-comment/