"The best thing is not to open your mouth": Mourinho responds to Mbappé China row and praises his player's reaction

Mourinho defended Mbappé and Real Madrid's handling of the China controversy, saying the player showed class in his response.

José Mourinho addressed the diplomatic row sparked by Kylian Mbappé's comments about Mao Zedong on a podcast, saying the incident is now closed. The, former Real Madrid manager praised his club and player for their response, describing Mbappé's reaction as classy and mature.

Mbappé faced backlash in China after mentioning Mao Zedong while discussing a meme about himself on The Bridge podcast. The controversy escalated when three major Chinese companies terminated sponsorship deals with the player, Beijing expressed outrage, and state broadcaster CCTV suspended La Liga coverage—all despite apologies from the league, club, and player.

Mourinho reflected on the broader issue, saying "the best thing is not to open your mouth" in today's world. He also praised Mbappé's composure following his Ballon d'Or disappointment, where he finished 28 points behind Harry Kane, highlighting the player's maturity and respect for others.