Real Madrid has taken the unusual step of issuing an official apology on the Chinese social media platform Weibo following a controversial social media post by defender Dean Huijsen.
The incident has created a delicate situation for the club, which has been at the forefront of the fight against racism in support of Vinícius Junior.
The Weibo Controversy
Over the weekend of February 21–22, 2026, the 20-year-old Huijsen shared content on his Instagram story that many users deemed highly offensive toward the Asian community.
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The Post: The deleted screenshot featured an Asian person with a caption containing stereotypes about physical traits, specifically referring to eye shape.
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The Reaction: While the post was quickly removed, screenshots circulated rapidly on Chinese social media, leading to a wave of criticism from fans and human rights advocates in the region.
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Official Apology: Real Madrid published a statement in Chinese on Weibo on February 23, stating: “I [Huijsen] sincerely apologize to my Chinese friends. Earlier, I unintentionally shared content with an offensive message. It was completely unintentional and I regret the discomfort it caused.”
Club Sensitivity and Market Impact
Real Madrid’s swift reaction highlights the importance of the Asian market and the club’s desire to avoid a “hypocrisy” narrative while they defend Vinícius Junior in Spain.
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Internal Action: Reports suggest the club’s management held a private meeting with Huijsen to emphasize the “zero-tolerance” policy regarding any form of discrimination.
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Fan Skepticism: Some Chinese fans have expressed that a written apology on a regional platform is insufficient, calling for a video statement or a post on the player’s global Instagram account.
Huijsen’s Rapid Rise
The incident comes at a time when the young defender is cementing his place in the world’s most famous starting XI.
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The Transfer: Huijsen joined Real Madrid last summer for €62.5 million from Bournemouth (where he had a breakout season under Andoni Iraola).
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International Choice: Although born in the Netherlands, Huijsen chose to represent the Spanish National Team and has already earned several caps for the senior squad under Luis de la Fuente.