Kylian Mbappe has apologised to people in China after remarks about a humorous image depicting the Real Madrid forward as former Chinese leader Mao Zedong triggered widespread criticism.
The France captain acknowledged that his comment had been clumsy and said he regretted causing offence to people in China and members of the Chinese community around the world.
“This comment was clumsy, and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and within the Chinese community across the world,” Mbappe wrote in a message published on his social media accounts.
Mbappe also stressed that he had not intended to offend anyone and reaffirmed his respect for China and its history.
“I apologise to everyone who was hurt by my words. That was absolutely not my intention,” he added. “I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history, and I am sincerely sorry.”
The controversy began with a video in which the France international reacted to a meme showing him with Mao Zedong’s face.
The incident prompted a strong response in China, with several Chinese companies announcing that they were ending their partnerships with the player. His comments also led to widespread criticism on social media.
Mbappe’s statement is an attempt to ease the tension and make clear his respect for the Chinese people, as the repercussions of the dispute have extended beyond football.