Mbappe fires back as racism storm engulfs World Cup

France seek legal action as Paraguay distances itself from the senator's remarks

FE Team | Published: July 07, 2026 21:59:47

Kylian Mbappe has described Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla as "despicable" and "racist" after she called the France captain a "colonised Cameroonian" following the World Cup round-of-16 game between the two nations on Sunday (as per BST), report agencies.
The French Football Federation has said it has reported Amarilla's comments to the public prosecutor's office "with a view to legal proceedings."
Later on Tuesday (as per BST), the Paraguayan Foreign Ministry posted a statement on behalf of the country's government on X criticizing and distancing itself from Amarilla's comments.
France beat Paraguay in a heated World Cup last-16 game on Saturday, with Mbappe scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.
Amarilla, a 61-year-old lawyer who is a member of the Authentic Radical Liberal Party, took to multiple social media platforms to criticize the Real Madrid player.
In a post on Instagram on Saturday night with two pictures of Mbappe attached, Amarilla called the 27-year-old a "colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French" as well as labelling him "resentful, arrogant and ugly."
"He was nervous and scared stiff for the whole match," she continued. "Just like the rest of his team. They couldn't score a single goal, and they won by the skin of their teeth."
"The only thing many of us hold against the Albirroja is that they didn't give him a good open-handed slap after the match was over. And I'm not even a football fan."
She had previously criticized Mbappe on X earlier on Saturday evening, quoting a post of the forward celebrating in front of Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill: "That brute never even learnt to write. Instead of breast milk, he sucked on coconuts, and the most educated creatures he ever listened to were chimpanzees.
"You should have given him the finger, Orlando Gill."
Amarilla has served in the Honorable Senate of the Republic of Paraguay since 2023 and has worked in politics in the South American nation since 1982.
Mbappe responded to Amarilla's comments via a statement that was posted to X on Monday, in which he said: "Ms Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman, unworthy of your position.
"You do not represent Paraguay, a country that has shown such passion and honour throughout the tournament. Because of your thoughtlessness and your blatant racism, the whole world has already forgotten the historic journey and effort your players made during this World Cup. It is now overshadowed by an incompetent woman who is presenting 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."
Mbappe is France's all-time top scorer and leads the way for the World Cup Golden Boot with seven goals in four matches, tied with Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.
"Today we showed that whoever wants to go to war against us we're ready to go to war as well," said one France player after winning
The French Football Federation backed up its men's national team captain in a subsequent statement.
"The racist remarks made by Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla targeting Kylian Mbappe are utterly despicable and unacceptable," it said. "How can anyone make such comments? 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.
"The Federation offers its full support to its captain, its players and, more broadly, to all victims of such abhorrent remarks. Now more than ever, the FFF is committed to combating racism and all forms of discrimination. These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them. The players of the French national team represent France;
it is our country that is being insulted."
The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry said the government "deplores and rejects" Amarailla's remarks, "which run counter to the values and principles that underpin peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity, which our country promotes."
It added that Amarailla's comments "relate exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the legislature and in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or of the Paraguayan people."