Kylian Mbappe: Jose Mourinho tells Real Madrid striker sometimes 'best thing to keep mouth shut' after Mao Zedong comments
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho defended Kylian Mbappe following a public backlash over the striker's comments regarding a meme featuring Mao Zedong. Mourinho praised Mbappe for his responsible apology while noting the dangers of public commentary in the modern world.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of sports, global politics, and the sensitivity of cultural figures when engaging with international social media discourse.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Kylian Mbappe has scored 11 league goals for Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid side this season
Jose Mourinho said that "often the best thing you can do is keep your mouth shut" when asked about the angry reaction to "ill-judged" comments made by Kylian Mbappe about China's late leader Mao Zedong.
The Real Madrid head coach said that causing offence was one of the "dangers of today's world" but added that the France forward acted "very responsibly" and showed "true class" by quickly apologising.
Mbappe apologised after saying the meme that made him laugh most was one in which his face is superimposed on a "Chinese dictator" resembling Mao Zedong, who died in 1976.
Mourinho was asked about the issue in his pre-match news conference on Saturday before Sunday's La Liga game at Racing Santander.
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Jose Mourinho Backs Kylian Mbappe After Mao Zedong Comments
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