Kylian Mbappe has hit back with fury at Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she posted racist remarks mocking the France forward's origin and education on social media platform X.
The incident occurred in the aftermath of France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a match in which Mbappe scored the winning penalty to send the defending champions into the quarter-finals.
Mbappe's Statement: 'You Are Despicable'
Mbappe, who has long been an advocate against discrimination, did not hold back in his response. In a post that quickly went viral, the 27-year-old forward wrote:
"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 honor throughout the competition. 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."
What Did Amarilla Say?
Amarilla, a member of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party, posted the offensive comments on X shortly after the final whistle. While the specific words have been condemned by many as overtly racist, they reportedly targeted Mbappe's Cameroonian and Algerian ancestry, as well as his educational background. The remarks were met with immediate backlash from fans, pundits, and anti-racism organizations, prompting calls for FIFA to take disciplinary action against the senator.
The French Football Federation (FFF) released a statement backing Mbappe and condemning all forms of racism. FFF president Philippe Diallo had earlier addressed similar comments from former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who stated before the match that Paraguay were facing "a squad from Africa." Diallo called Chilavert a "disgrace" and emphasized that such remarks undermine the values of respect, fraternity, and diversity in football.
An Ugly Pattern
Unfortunately, this is not the first time France's national team has been targeted by racist abuse. The squad, which boasts players of varied ethnic backgrounds, has frequently been subjected to discriminatory comments from opposition figures and fans. Mbappe himself has previously spoken out about online hate and called for stronger measures from social media platforms and governing bodies.
The latest incident has reignited the debate around racism in football, with many arguing that FIFA must impose harsher penalties for discriminatory behavior from officials and public figures. While FIFA has yet to comment on Amarilla's remarks, the organization's statutes prohibit discrimination of any kind.
Mbappe's World Cup Form
On the pitch, Mbappe's performances have been nothing short of exceptional. The penalty against Paraguay was his seventh goal of the tournament, placing him joint top of the scoring charts alongside Lionel Messi of Argentina and Erling Haaland of Norway. He had previously netted twice against Senegal, once against Iraq, and once against Sweden in the group stage, along with a brace in the round of 16 prior to the Paraguay clash.
France now turn their attention to a tantalizing quarter-final showdown against Morocco in Boston on Thursday. The match carries historical weight, given the connections between the two nations, and Mbappe will be determined to let his football do the talking once again.
Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappe delivered a powerful condemnation of racist comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla on social media.
- Amarilla's remarks, which mocked Mbappe's background, followed similar comments from former Paraguay star Jose Luis Chilavert, who labelled France "a squad from Africa."
- French football president Philippe Diallo also criticized Chilavert, calling him a "disgrace" and highlighting the need to uphold values of diversity and respect.
- The incident underscores the persistent issue of racism in football, with calls for FIFA to take stronger action against discriminatory behavior.
- Mbappe remains focused on the World Cup, where he leads the Golden Boot race with seven goals ahead of France's quarter-final against Morocco.
Quick Facts
Player: Kylian Mbappe (France)
Incident: Racist social media posts by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla
Match: France 1-0 Paraguay (World Cup last 16)
Mbappe's tournament goals: 7 (joint top-scorer with Messi and Haaland)
Next match: Quarter-final vs Morocco, Boston, Thursday
France's quarter-final opponent: Morocco (July 9, 2026)