Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappé posted a public apology on X after remarks he made in a recent interview triggered widespread backlash on the Chinese mainland.
According to the report, Mbappé was quoted as saying that the "funniest" meme he had seen was an image that edited his face onto a picture described as a "Chinese dictator." The comment quickly escalated into a major online controversy.
On Oct. 27, 2026, Mbappé released an apology statement, saying his response to the image during the interview was inappropriate and that he was sorry. He said his words had hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world, and he apologized to everyone affected.
Mbappé added that offending anyone was never his intention and said he holds "deep respect" for the Chinese people and their history, expressing sincere regret.
The statement was published in three languages—French, Chinese, and English.
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