Real Madrid has not yet issued any official statement regarding the controversy that has arisen after forward Kylian Mbappé's statements in relation to Mao Zedong, causing the reaction of the Chinese government and the suspension of commercial activities with the club.
The incident took place shortly after the victory in the Classic and the awarding of the Ballon d'Or, when Mbappé made indirect comments that were interpreted as criticism of the Chinese historical figure. The response of the Asian government has been forceful: the commercial relationship with the club has been broken and a public apology has been demanded.
While the president of LaLiga, Javier Tebas, met urgently with the Chinese ambassador in Madrid and apologized on behalf of the employers' association, Real Madrid has chosen not to intervene directly. The club has let the player take responsibility for his words, without issuing its own message or clarifying its position regarding the situation.
This position is surprising, given that Mbappé is the face of Real Madrid in the Chinese market, one of the most lucrative for the sale of merchandising and sponsorships. The absence of an official response from the club could affect business relations and the institution's image in Asia, although it is not yet known if any additional measures will be taken in the near future.
The club seems to prefer to wait for the controversy to calm down before deciding on any specific action, maintaining its policy of not intervening in matters that it considers the player's sole responsibility. The next step will depend on how the situation evolves with the Chinese authorities and the pressure exerted by Real Madrid's sponsors and partners in the Asian market.