Kylian Mbappé has condemned a Paraguayan senator after she launched a racist attack on him following France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup quarter-final stage.
The France captain scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in Philadelphia on Saturday, sending his side into the last eight of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappé. Victor Velter, Shutterstock
Following the match, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla posted a series of racist remarks on X, describing Mbappé as a "colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French" and claiming Paraguay's players should have slapped him after the final whistle.
Mbappé responded with a strongly worded statement on X, branding Amarilla a "despicable woman" and accusing her of spreading racism.
“Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition,” he wrote.
“Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.”
“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
Madame Celeste Amarilla,
Vous êtes une femme méprisable et indigne de sa fonction.
Vous ne représentez pas le Paraguay, ce pays qui a transpiré la passion et l’honneur tout au long de la compétition. Par votre inconscience et votre racisme décomplexé, le monde entier a déjà… pic.twitter.com/EnYmgQXvPL— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) July 6, 2026
The French Football Federation (FFF) has since confirmed it intends to file a criminal complaint, describing Amarilla's comments as "utterly abhorrent and unacceptable."
In a statement, the federation said: “These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor's office with a view to legal proceedings.”
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The Paraguayan government also distanced itself from the senator's comments, saying it "deplores and rejects" her remarks and stressing they do not reflect the views of the government or the Paraguayan people.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron publicly backed Mbappé, writing on X: “Another goal for Kylian Mbappe. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity.”
The president of Paraguay's National Congress, Basilio Núñez, also rejected the comments, saying racist and xenophobic messages do not represent the country's values and that politics and sport should remain separate.
Kylian Mbappé. Victor Velter, Shutterstock
The incident comes as Mbappé continues to cement his place among the greatest players in World Cup history.
The 26-year-old has now scored 19 World Cup goals, including four in his first two matches of this year's tournament, leaving him level with Lionel Messi in the race to become the competition's all-time leading scorer.
Playing in his third World Cup, Mbappé is widely regarded as the driving force behind France's latest title challenge. France are considered among the favourites to lift the trophy, with Argentina also expected to be strong contenders as the tournament reaches the knockout stages.
