Real Madrid Apologizes to China for Kylian Mbappe’s Comments

Real Madrid has apologized to China following comments made by their star player, Kylian Mbappe, that were seen as disrespectful to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. The club’s statement came a day after the controversy erupted.

In their statement, Real Madrid expressed regret for any offense caused by Mbappe’s remarks. This apology was necessary after two major brands in China decided to cut ties with the player.

Mbappe’s comments, which included a joke about a meme featuring his face superimposed on Mao’s, led to a backlash. The drinks company Dongpeng and Mengniu, a large dairy producer, both announced they were ending their partnerships with the footballer.

Dongpeng stated that they have a strict policy against actions that offend national sentiments. Mengniu echoed this sentiment, emphasizing their commitment to respecting the feelings of the Chinese people.

The incident gained significant attention on Chinese social media, with discussions about Dongpeng’s decision trending on Weibo. Meanwhile, Mbappe recently lost the Ballon d’Or award to Harry Kane.