Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has apologised to the Chinese people over a joke involving an internet meme that reportedly sparked a backlash in China and affected sponsorship deals associated with the Frenchman.

The controversy began during an appearance on the French television programme The Bridge, where Mbappé was asked which meme featuring himself he found the funniest.

He responded, “The one that made me laugh the most was the one where they put my face on a Chinese dictator. I use it a lot with my friends.” The image was reportedly based on Mao Zedong, who governed China from 1949 until his death in 1976.

Following the controversy, Mbappé’s company, Interconnected Ventures, issued an apology on Tuesday in French, Chinese and English. The footballer described his remarks as poorly considered and acknowledged the distress they had caused.

“In a recent media appearance, I responded to an image depicting myself. My remarks were poorly considered, and I now recognize that they caused distress to numerous individuals in China and within Chinese diaspora communities globally,” Mbappé said.

He added, “I extend my sincere apologies to all those affected by my statements. Such an outcome was entirely contrary to my intentions. I maintain profound admiration for the Chinese people and their cultural heritage, and I express my genuine remorse.”

LaLiga also issued a separate apology, stressing that Mbappé’s comments were personal and did not represent the league or its member clubs. League president Javier Tebas expressed regret over the harm caused and announced plans for an educational protocol developed in collaboration with clubs and players.

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Meanwhile, China Media Group, which oversees state broadcaster CCTV, halted the broadcast of LaLiga matches and suspended advertisements featuring Mbappé. The organisation demanded formal apologies from LaLiga, Mbappé and Real Madrid as a condition for resuming discussions.