Spanish football giants Real Madrid apologized to China on Wednesday for star striker Kylian Mbappe's comments poking fun at Mao Zedong. "Real Madrid C.F. wishes to express its apologies to the Chinese people for any offense caused by the recent remarks of our player Kylian Mbappe," read the club's statement, which came 24 hours after the furor broke. "Our club maintains a deep respect for China, its history, its culture and its citizens, as well as for the millions of Chinese fans who feel affection and admiration for Real Madrid," the statement added. China said Wednesday it took "seriously" an apology from Mbappe. Mocking former leader Mao is taboo in China and the French player's remarks saw him become the latest foreign sports figure to anger Beijing. In a clip of a video interview with French show The Bridge -- since taken down -- Mbappe talked about being amused by an internet meme of his face photoshopped onto "some guy, think he's a Chinese dictator,” an apparent reference to Mao. "My comment was ill-judged and I now understand that it hurt many people in China and in Chinese communities around the world. I apologize to everyone my words have upset," the France captain said in a statement in French, Chinese and English on Tuesday.
