Mbappé speaks out on controversy: "I have deep respect for the Chinese people"

Mbappé apologised for joking comments about Mao Zedong that prompted China to ban Real Madrid broadcasts on state TV.

Kylian Mbappé issued a public apology after China's government decided to stop broadcasting Real Madrid matches on state television in response to his jocular remarks about Mao Zedong during an interview.

The Real Madrid forward published a statement across his official social media accounts in French, Chinese and English, directly addressing the Chinese people and government. "During an interview, I reacted to an edited image of myself and my comment was judged and now I understand that many people from the Chinese people felt offended. I apologise to everyone my words may have offended. It was not my intention. I have deep respect for the Chinese people and their history. I ask for forgiveness," Mbappé wrote.

As of the time of reporting, China's government has maintained its decision not to broadcast anything related to Mbappé on state television.