Real Madrid’s apology to Chinese audiences has not yet changed the immediate outcome of the dispute: China Media Group (CMG) has acknowledged the statement, while its suspension of LaLiga coverage remains in place. The episode now involves the club, Mbappé, the league, Chinese broadcasters and sponsors, with several public apologies issued but no announced return to broadcasts.
Three apologies, no broadcast restart
Madrid released its statement on Wednesday, expressing regret for the discomfort caused by Mbappé’s remarks and emphasizing its respect for China, its culture and its supporters. The club also endorsed the apology Mbappé had published a day earlier in Chinese, French and English.
“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,” the statement said. Madrid described its relationship with Chinese fans as one of “affection and admiration” and said it hoped to strengthen its ties with the country.
LaLiga has apologized as well, saying the player spoke in a personal capacity and did not represent the competition. The league says it is working with partners and institutional contacts in China and plans to develop a cultural-awareness and communication protocol for clubs and players.
Those statements haven’t yet translated into a change in CMG’s position. The broadcaster, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, confirmed that it had suspended LaLiga coverage, along with other matches and advertising featuring Mbappé. EFE reported that the measures took effect on October 26.
The sequence matters. Before Madrid issued its official apology, CMG pushed back on 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 exceeded freedom of expression and called for a satisfactory apology before further discussions. CMG later confirmed receipt of Madrid’s formal statement, but did not announce that broadcasts would resume.
The remark and the commercial response
The dispute traces back to an appearance on the French programme The Bridge. Asked to name his favorite meme of himself, Mbappé described an image that put his face on “a guy—I think he’s a Chinese dictator.” In his apology, he called the comment inconsiderate and said he understood 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,” Mbappé said.
The consequences have reached the player’s commercial relationships. Dongpeng, Mengniu and Milkground announced on Tuesday that they were ending their agreements with him. Content featuring Mbappé has also faced restrictions on Chinese platforms.
People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s official newspaper, backed the companies’ decisions in an opinion column. It argued that remarks considered unacceptable could make an athlete’s public profile a liability for brands. That was the newspaper’s view of the commercial fallout, not a published assessment of the value of Mbappé’s remaining agreements.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Wednesday that the ministry took the apology seriously. He did not announce any reversal of the broadcasting or commercial measures.
LaLiga’s outreach has yet to produce a visible shift
LaLiga president Javier Tebas wrote to CMG and met China’s ambassador to Spain on Tuesday. The league’s outreach, together with its apology and proposed protocol, signals an effort to address the dispute through club and institutional channels. So far, none of those steps has been followed by an announced restoration of CMG’s coverage.
That leaves the next development dependent on the broadcaster’s response. Madrid’s statement acknowledges the offense and reaffirms its respect for Chinese audiences; CMG has confirmed that it received it. The gap between those two facts is the clearest measure of where the dispute stands.
Madrid offers condolences after Toledo rail collision
Real Madrid issued a separate statement expressing sorrow after a fatal railway collision in the province of Toledo on Wednesday. Renfe said an AVE train and an Iryo service were involved in a collision between Los Yébenes and Urda. Deaths and injuries were reported as emergency teams responded.
The club extended condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed and offered support to the injured and others affected. Madrid also expressed its backing for emergency services and those taking part in relief efforts.
Barcelona joins the clubs monitoring Finn Jeltsch
VfB Stuttgart centre-back Finn Jeltsch has drawn interest from Barcelona, adding another major club to the group tracking the 20-year-old. AS reported Madrid’s interest in September. More recent reporting, cited by Eurosport and attributed to Sport, says Barcelona’s recruitment department is examining him as a defensive option. Liverpool is also among the clubs reported to be watching.
Jeltsch is under contract through June 2030, giving Stuttgart a lengthy period of control. Reports put a possible asking price at around €60 million or more, but no fee has been agreed and Madrid has not been reported to have made an offer.
The available reporting points to scouting and interest, not a confirmed transfer. It also doesn’t establish whether Jeltsch could leave during the January window. His contract situation and the number of clubs linked to him may shape the next stage, but for now the story remains one of monitoring.
Racing Santander investigates ticket resale ahead of Madrid visit
Racing Santander is investigating suspected ticket 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 was strong: Racing said tickets sold out in one hour and 56 minutes on Monday. The sale was limited to season-ticket holders and registered supporters. Radio Santander reported that the investigation was still open and that the club had not established how many members might be involved.
Racing also suspects some online listings advertise fake or nonexistent tickets. Supporters who can no longer attend have an official option: the club has activated its seat-release system through the season-ticket holder portal.
Cucurella’s playful boxing challenge names Álex Baena
Spain international Marc Cucurella picked teammate Álex Baena when streamer Ibai Llanos asked whom he would face at La Velada del Año. The question came during conversations with footballers on the Ballon d’Or red carpet.
“Álex Baena is a friend of mine, but he brings out the worst in me,” Cucurella said, adding, “I’ll smash him.” Baena answered on Instagram: “Whenever you want, place, day and time.” Their exchange was a response to a hypothetical matchup; neither player announced a scheduled bout.
Podcast revisits Madrid’s Clásico win
Kiyan Sobhani and Don Amancio discuss Real Madrid’s victory over Barcelona in the latest episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, including what the result means for Mourinho and the tactical choices behind the performance.
The conversation covers Bernardo Silva’s importance, Eduardo Camavinga’s influence, Jude Bellingham’s display and Mbappé’s Clásico record. It also considers Yan Diomande’s contribution, Cucurella’s matchup with Lamine Yamal, and the difference between Fede Valverde and Denzel Dumfries at right-back.
The hosts weigh what Mourinho got right against Barcelona, whether the previous week marks a turning point, and what the result could mean for Madrid. They also discuss the Ballon d’Or results.
For Madrid, the immediate test is whether its apology and LaLiga’s outreach can move CMG from acknowledgment to a change in coverage. Until the broadcaster says otherwise, the dispute remains unresolved.