Kylian Mbappe has strongly criticised Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she made racist remarks about the France forward following Paraguay’s World Cup exit.
Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, posted the comments on X after France defeated Paraguay in the last 16 of the tournament. Her remarks targeted Mbappe’s background and education, leading to widespread criticism from the player, French football authorities and the Paraguayan government.
Mbappe called Amarilla “despicable” and said she was unworthy of her political position, adding that her comments did not represent Paraguay or the passion shown by its national team during the tournament.
The France captain said the controversy had taken attention away from Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign and accused Amarilla of damaging her country’s image through racism.
The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed it plans to take legal action, describing the remarks as unacceptable and stating that it will refer the case to prosecutors. The organisation said the comments were not only an attack on France’s players but also on the values they represent.
Paraguay’s government also distanced itself from Amarilla’s statements, saying it rejected comments that go against principles of respect, human dignity and peaceful coexistence.
The incident came shortly after Mbappe scored the decisive penalty in France’s victory over Paraguay, securing a quarter-final meeting with Morocco in Boston. The forward remains one of the tournament’s leading performers, sitting level with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland as the World Cup’s top scorer with seven goals.
French president Emmanuel Macron publicly supported Mbappe, praising him for standing against racism and defending values of dignity and respect.
The controversy followed similar comments from former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert before the match, when he described France as “a squad from Africa”. FFF president Philippe Diallo condemned those remarks, saying they went against football’s principles of respect, unity and diversity.