Mocking Mao Zedong is taboo in China, which is a lucrative market for players and teams such as Kylian
Corroborated by 3 sources from 3 publishers
TL;DR
Real Madrid stood firm longer than most clubs would – all of a few hours – before bending the knee to China and issuing a formal apology amid the controversy and backlash involving forward Kylian Mbappe and a meme of the late dictator Mao Zedong.
Sources
1
Fox News Latest Headlines
https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/real-madrid-issues-apology-china-mbappe-controversy-state-run-tv-demands
2
Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/28/real-madrid-apologise-to-chinese-people-for-mbappes-mao-dictator-remark?traffic_source=rss
3
Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/10/28/kylian-mbappe-china-meme-mao-zedong-la-liga-real-madrid?traffic_source=rss
4
Forbes Business
https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/10/28/real-madrid-apologizes-for-mbapp-dictator-comments-after-chinese-broadcasters-drop-games