France star Kylian Mbappe has strongly condemned racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after Les Bleus defeated Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
Mbappe scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot, sealing a 1-0 victory for France and securing their place in the quarter-finals. However, the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by a racist social media post from Amarilla that sparked widespread outrage.
Following Paraguay’s elimination, the senator published a series of offensive comments on X targeting Mbappe. In the now-controversial post, she referred to the French captain using racist slurs, described him as a “colonised Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French,” and called him a “brute” who had not learned to write. She also suggested that Paraguay’s players should have slapped the France forward.
Mbappe Hits Back at Racist Remarks
Mbappe responded with a strongly worded statement, accusing Amarilla of disgracing both herself and the office she holds.
“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.”
The France striker said Amarilla’s comments had overshadowed Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign.
“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.”
Mbappe also vowed to continue speaking out against racism.
“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.”
French Football Federation to Pursue Legal Action
According to Reuters, the French Football Federation (FFF) has announced that it intends to file criminal charges over Amarilla’s comments, calling them “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.”
In an official 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.”
The governing body added that the comments not only targeted Mbappe but also insulted France and its national team.
“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.”
France Set for Quarter-Final Clash
With the controversy unfolding off the pitch, France now turns its attention back to the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Mbappe and his teammates will face Morocco in the quarter-finals on July 10.
The incident has once again brought racism in football into sharp focus, with growing calls for stronger action against discriminatory behaviour directed at players on and off the field.