Real Madrid is facing a backlash after midfielder Dean Huijsen shared a social media post deemed offensive by Chinese fans. The club issued an apology on Monday, February 23, 2026, stating Huijsen inadvertently shared the post, but the apology has been rejected by many online.
The controversy centers around a multi-image post Huijsen shared that contained imagery and captions considered disrespectful towards Chinese people. According to reports from 星島頭條, the initial image included comments such as “even Chinese people will think he looks Chinese” and “you could block his eyes with dental floss.” Huijsen quickly deleted the post, but screenshots circulated widely online, sparking outrage.
Real Madrid’s official Weibo account released a statement on Saturday, February 22, 2026, attributing the incident to an “unintentional mistake.” Huijsen himself as well apologized, stating, “I sincerely apologize to my Chinese friends. I unintentionally shared a post containing offensive content and apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Yet, the apology has failed to quell the anger of many Chinese fans, who are demanding a more direct and personal apology from the player. Critics have pointed out that the club’s statement was only posted on its Chinese social media account and wasn’t mirrored on other platforms, leading to accusations of insincerity. 聯合新聞網 reported on the widespread dissatisfaction.
Huijsen, born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in April 2005, currently plays as a center-back for Real Madrid. He joined the Spanish club after a deal reportedly worth £50 million (approximately $64.5 million USD) was finalized in May 2025, as detailed in on.cc東網. The transfer fee will be paid in installments through 2027.
The incident comes as Real Madrid is actively building its squad for the upcoming season, having already secured the signings of Alexander Arnold and manager Xabi Alonso. 今日大公 reports that the club is also targeting Benfica left-back David Jurasek.
This controversy highlights the increasing sensitivity surrounding cultural issues in global sports and the importance of social media responsibility for athletes.
