Real Madrid issued a formal apology to the Chinese people following the backlash caused by recent statements made by Kylian Mbappé, which had already led several major companies in China to sever ties with the French star.
In a statement, the “Queen” emphasized that it holds deep respect for China, its history, culture, and people, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who support the club.
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“Real Madrid wishes to apologize to the Chinese people for any offense that may have been caused by the recent statements made by our player, Kylian Mbappé,” the statement reads.
At the same time, the Spanish club endorsed Mbappé’s public apology, as he had already expressed regret for his remarks and reiterated his respect for the Chinese people.
The controversy erupted after the release of an excerpt from an interview with the French forward, in which he referred to a meme featuring his face superimposed on an image of Mao Zedong. Mbappé described the man in the image as a “Chinese dictator,” sparking strong reactions.
https://t.co/MQBo9NCSy5
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) October 27, 2026
After the video went viral, at least three major companies—Dongpeng, Mengniu, and Milkground, announced the termination of their agreements with him, emphasizing that they oppose any words or actions that “hurt national sentiment.”
Mbappé issued a public apology, noting, among other things, that his comment was wrong, that he now understands he upset many people in China and in Chinese communities worldwide, and that this was not his intention.
*photo source: AP
