Mbappe Apologises to China as La Liga Seeks to Mend Ties

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe apologised to the Chinese people on Tuesday after remarks about an internet meme triggered a backlash in China, where brand partners dropped him, and state television pulled La Liga coverage. La Liga president Javier Tebas said he later met China’s ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, to try to resolve the fallout.

In a French podcast interview, Mbappe said he found a meme that put his face on that of a “Chinese dictator,” a reference Chinese media took to mean Mao Zedong. At least three Chinese companies, including Dongpeng, ended deals with him. China’s state broadcaster suspended La Liga matches and events involving Mbappe. In his statement, Mbappe called his comment “ill-judged” and said he now understood it had hurt many people in China. La Liga said the remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the league or its clubs, and it apologised on their behalf.

The episode shows how exposed European football is to its Chinese audience. Tebas said on X that “an individual episode” should not damage the advances La Liga has made, according to AP, and that China remains a strategic partner. La Liga also plans a protocol with clubs and players to promote awareness of different cultures and prevent similar incidents. China Daily said the backlash showed the limits of celebrity influence, a view worth noting as a reaction from a state-run outlet, not a neutral finding.

It is unclear when, or whether, Chinese broadcasts of La Liga will resume or whether the sponsors will return. Neither La Liga nor the broadcaster has given a timeline.