Real Madrid issued an apology to the Chinese people on Wednesday following Kylian Mbappé’s comments about a meme depicting him as Mao Zedong. The statement follows apologies from the player and LaLiga, with Chinese state broadcaster China Media Group having suspended its coverage of the competition. While CMG has acknowledged receiving Madrid’s statement, it has not announced a resumption of broadcasts.
Real Madrid apologize following Mbappé’s comments
Real Madrid have released an official statement expressing regret for the discomfort caused by
Mbappé’s remarks and reiterating the club’s respect for China and its supporters there. The club’s intervention follows the forward’s own apology, published on Tuesday in Chinese, French and English.
Madrid’s statement reads:
“Real Madrid CF wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any discomfort that may have been caused by the recent words of our player Kylian Mbappé.
“Our club maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid.
“The club joins in the public apology expressed by Kylian Mbappé, in which the player himself expressed his regret for his words and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.
“Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to the values of respect, coexistence and understanding between cultures, and expresses its desire to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and affection that unite it with China and its citizens.”
The interview behind the controversy
The controversy began with a clip from the French programme The Bridge, in which Mbappé was asked about his favourite meme of himself. He described an image showing his face superimposed on that of “a guy—I think he’s a Chinese dictator.” The image depicted Mao, although Mbappé did not name him in the remark.
In his subsequent apology, Mbappé described his comment as inconsiderate and acknowledged that it had hurt people in China and Chinese communities elsewhere.
“I have a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history and I am sincerely sorry,” he said.
CMG acknowledges Madrid’s apology, with broadcasts still suspended
China Media Group, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, has confirmed the suspension of its LaLiga coverage, along with other matches and advertising featuring Mbappé. According to EFE, the measures took effect on October 26.
Before Madrid published Wednesday’s statement, CMG rejected explanations attributed to the club in Spanish media that Mbappé had not intended to offend and was entitled to express personal opinions. A spokesperson said the remarks went beyond freedom of expression and demanded a satisfactory apology before further discussions. Those comments concerned the earlier position attributed to Madrid, rather than a rejection of the official apology subsequently issued.
CMG later acknowledged receiving Madrid’s apology without announcing a change to its broadcasting decision. The distinction matters: the broadcaster’s initial demand for a statement and its subsequent acknowledgment are separate developments.
Sponsors terminate agreements
The commercial consequences have included the termination of Mbappé’s agreements with Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground. The three companies announced the end of their partnerships on Tuesday, while restrictions have also affected content featuring the forward on Chinese platforms.
The Communist Party’s official newspaper, People’s Daily, defended the companies’ decisions in an opinion column, arguing that remarks it considered unacceptable could turn an athlete’s commercial profile into a liability for brands. That was the publication’s assessment of the dispute, rather than a financial valuation of Mbappé’s remaining agreements.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that the ministry took Mbappé’s apology seriously, but did not announce that the broadcasting or commercial measures would be reversed.
LaLiga seeks a resolution
LaLiga has also apologized, stating that Mbappé’s comments were made in a personal capacity and did not represent the competition. The league said it was working with its partners and institutional contacts in China to address the situation and would develop a cultural-awareness and communication protocol with clubs and players.
Javier Tebas sent a letter to CMG and met China’s ambassador to Spain on Tuesday as part of those efforts. The steps taken so far have not produced an announced restoration of CMG’s LaLiga broadcasts.
Madrid express condolences after Toledo train collision
Real Madrid have issued a separate statement expressing their sorrow following Wednesday’s fatal railway accident in the province of Toledo. Renfe confirmed that an AVE train and an Iryo service were involved in a collision between Los Yébenes and Urda, with deaths and injuries reported as emergency teams responded.
The club extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed, alongside its support for the injured and everyone affected.
“Real Madrid wants to convey its full support to the emergency services and all those working in the relief efforts, and joins in the grief of all those affected in these moments of immense sadness,” the statement read.
Jeltsch remains on Madrid’s radar as Barcelona interest grows
VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch continues to attract attention from several major European clubs, with Barcelona joining the discussion around a player Madrid have already been monitoring. AS reported Madrid’s interest in September, identifying the 20-year-old as one of the young centre-backs being followed by the club.
The latest reporting places Barcelona among the clubs considering a move. Eurosport, citing Sport, reports that the Catalan club’s recruitment department is examining Jeltsch as a defensive option, with competition also coming from clubs including Madrid and Liverpool.
Jeltsch’s contract runs until June 2030, leaving Stuttgart in a strong contractual position. Reports have placed a potential asking price around €60 million or higher, although that is a reported valuation rather than an announced agreement or a fee Madrid have offered.
The timing of any move also remains uncertain. The reports describe interest and monitoring, not a completed transfer or confirmation that the defender will leave Stuttgart during the January window.
Racing warn members over ticket resale before Madrid’s visit
Racing Santander are investigating suspected resale by season-ticket holders ahead of Real Madrid’s visit to El Sardinero on Sunday, November 1, at 4:15 p.m. Madrid time. The club has warned that members found to have resold their tickets or season-ticket access could lose their membership.
Demand has been substantial. Racing confirmed that the available tickets sold out in one hour and 56 minutes on Monday, with the sale restricted to the club’s season-ticket holders and registered supporters.
Radio Santander reports that the investigation remains open, with no definitive number of implicated members. Racing also suspects that some online listings concern fake or nonexistent tickets, rather than genuine seats being resold by members.
For supporters unable to attend, Racing has activated its official seat-release system through the season-ticket holder portal, providing a club-managed route to make their place available.
Cucurella names Baena in Ibai’s hypothetical boxing challenge
Marc Cucurella chose Spain teammate Álex Baena when Ibai Llanos asked whom he would face at La Velada del Año. The exchange took place on the Ballon d’Or red carpet, where the streamer posed the boxing question to several footballers.
“Álex Baena is a friend of mine, but he brings out the worst in me,” Cucurella said, before adding: “I’ll smash him.”
Baena responded on Instagram: “Whenever you want, place, day and time.”
The exchange was part of the pair’s response to a hypothetical boxing question, rather than an announcement of a scheduled bout. Cucurella explicitly described Baena as a friend while explaining his choice.
Managing Madrid Podcast: Reflecting on the Clásico victory
Kiyan Sobhani and Don Amancio revisit Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona on the latest episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, assessing what the result means for Mourinho and the tactical changes that helped shape the performance.
The discussion examines Bernardo Silva’s importance, Eduardo Camavinga’s impact, Jude Bellingham’s performance and Mbappé’s remarkable Clásico record. Kiyan and Don also analyse Yan Diomande’s contribution, Cucurella’s matchup with Lamine Yamal, and the difference between Fede Valverde and Denzel Dumfries at right-back.
The episode considers how much Mourinho got right against Barcelona, whether the past week represents a turning point, and the wider consequences of the result. There is also discussion of the Ballon d’Or results.
