Kylian Mbappe has hit back at a Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, calling her as a “despicable woman” after she made racist remarks on the French striker following Paraguay’s exit from the 2026 World Cup.
Mbappe scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in a tense and physical contest in Philadelphia on Saturday, sending France into the quarter-finals.
After the match, Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on X, targeting Mbappe’s Cameroonian heritage and questioning his French identity. She also called him a “brute” and suggested Paraguay’s players should have slapped him after the game.
Mbappe responded with a strongly worded statement, defending both himself and the Paraguay team.
“Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, a country that has shown passion and honour throughout this World Cup,” Mbappe wrote.
“Because of your reckless racism, the world is no longer talking about your team’s remarkable campaign but about your hateful comments. I will never allow people like you to spread racism and hatred.”
The French Football Federation (FFF) also condemned Amarilla’s remarks and announced that it would file a criminal complaint.
“These comments are criminal and unacceptable. They must be prosecuted. The players of the French national team represent France, and these remarks insult our country,” the federation said.
The Paraguayan government distanced itself from Amarilla’s comments, saying it completely rejected her statements.
In an official statement, the government said her remarks reflected only her personal views and did not represent the position of Paraguay or its people. It added that the comments went against the country’s values of respect, peaceful coexistence and human dignity.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s office said Paraguayan President Santiago Peña had written to him to express support and condemn the senator’s remarks.
Paraguayan Congress president Basilio Núñez also criticised Amarilla’s comments.
“As President of the National Congress, I strongly reject racist, xenophobic and hateful messages. Our national team represented Paraguay with pride and determination at the World Cup. Politics and sport should remain separate,” he said.
France assistant coach Guy Stephan also condemned the abuse.
“We haven’t had the chance to speak to Kylian yet, but these comments are disgraceful, vile and outrageous,” Stephan said.
