Real Madrid has issued an official statement apologizing to the Chinese people after Kylian Mbappe referred to Mao Zedong, the founder of Communist China, as a “Chinese dictator.” This remark came during an appearance on the French talk show The Bridge, where Mbappe was asked about his favorite meme featuring him.
In the clip, Mbappe responded that he enjoys a specific meme involving an edited image of himself superimposed on Mao Zedong’s body. This comment sparked significant outrage in China.
Real Madrid’s Official Statement Following Mbappe’s Remarks
The official statement from Real Madrid expressed sincere apologies for any discomfort caused by Mbappe’s recent comments. “Our club holds a profound respect for China, its history, culture, and citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese supporters of Real Madrid. We regret the situation, as does Kylian Mbappe, who has also expressed his sincere apologies and respect for China. Real Madrid reaffirms its commitment to respect, coexistence, and understanding of all cultures, and we strive to strengthen the bonds of friendship with China and its people,” the statement read.
I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my words. That was not my intention at all. I have a deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry. – Kylian Mbappe
In the wake of the controversy, Dongpeng, a beverage company, announced that it would immediately terminate any collaboration with Mbappe, stating, “Our company firmly opposes and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any behavior that offends national sentiments.” Similarly, Mengniu, the largest dairy producer in China, expressed its disapproval, also ceasing its collaboration with the player for similar reasons.
Additionally, the social media platform RedNote declared it would remove promotional materials related to Mbappe until the end of 2024 due to the backlash.
