Real Madrid added its own apology on Tuesday after a meme linking Kylian Mbappe to Mao Zedong triggered a widespread boycott in China.

The apology was seen as an effort to protect the club’s commercial interests in the Chinese market, where it generates a significant share of merchandise sales.

Three sponsors have already dropped Mbappe, and Chinese state television has suspended La Liga match broadcasts, threatening the league’s international development strategy.

La Liga president Javier Tebas and the league itself also issued apologies, but the statements have not yet calmed the situation.

A La Liga source told AFP that China and the United States together fund the majority of the league’s international broadcasting rights, valued at €748 million for the 2024‑25 season.

Matches aired on China’s state‑run CCTV are among the most‑watched sporting events in the country, reinforcing the market’s importance for revenue.

Since 2016, La Liga has adjusted its schedule to Asian time zones, boosting viewership and the value of its overseas TV rights.

On August 3, La Liga signed a new deal with Migu, a China Mobile subsidiary, to broadcast 380 matches per season through 2030, signalling a long‑term commitment to Chinese fans.

Real Madrid’s revenue from Chinese jersey and merchandise sales is estimated at 10‑15 percent of its total, and the club counts Chinese firms such as Hisense, Kaiyun Sports and Linglong Tire among its main sponsors.

President Florentino Pérez, who built his fortune in construction, also owns subsidiaries in China and Hong Kong, further linking the club to the market.