Real Madrid has published an official statement to apologize to the Chinese people following the recent controversy resulting from Kylian Mbappé's statements. The case, which shook the internet and the Chinese community, arose when the French player referenced the late dictator Mao Zedong in a comment that was quickly turned into a viral meme. The episode generated a heated online debate and called into question the club's commercial relationships with Chinese sponsors, as well as resulting in content relating to Mbappé being removed from social platforms.
In the statement, Real Madrid expressed deep regret for the distress that the player's words may have caused. The club reiterated its respect for China, its history, culture and its citizens, underlining the affection of the millions of Chinese fans towards the team. “Real Madrid wishes to apologize to the Chinese people for the inconvenience that the recent statements of our player Kylian Mbappé may have caused,” the statement read. Furthermore, the club stated that it joins the public apology already presented by Mbappé, highlighting the club's commitment to the values of respect, coexistence and intercultural understanding.
China's response came shortly after the release of the statement. Chinese authorities accepted Mbappé's apology, saying they took it "seriously". This statement marks a step towards normalizing relations between the club and Chinese institutions, after the dispute led to the breaking of commercial agreements and the removal of promotional content in the territory.
As for the commercial implications, the dispute has had significant repercussions: some Chinese sponsors have suspended or canceled contracts with Mbappé, and the player's presence has been limited on Chinese social platforms. Real Madrid, however, said it wanted to continue strengthening ties of friendship and affection with China, hoping to overcome the incident and maintain a positive relationship with the country's fans and business partners.
The club closed the statement with a hope to continue promoting intercultural understanding and strengthen ties with China. With the situation now being resolved, Real Madrid and Mbappé are preparing to resume normal activities, while the Chinese authorities monitor the situation to ensure that similar disputes do not occur again in the future.