By Emmanuel Nduka
France captain Kylian Mbappé has hit back at Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she launched a racist social media tirade against him following France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mbappé, who scored the match-winning penalty to send France into the quarter-finals, condemned Amarilla’s comments as “brazen racism” and accused her of overshadowing Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign with hateful rhetoric.
Amarilla had taken to X after Paraguay’s elimination, describing the French star as a “colonized Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French”. She also wrote: “This brute never even learned how to write,” while making several other offensive remarks targeting his race, identity and appearance.
Responding on Monday, Mbappé issued a strongly worded statement defending not only himself but also Paraguay’s national team.
“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.
“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”.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation in France and Paraguay.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced it would file a criminal complaint against Amarilla, describing her remarks as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable”.
“The players of the France National Team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted,” the federation said, adding that it stood fully behind Mbappé and all victims of racist abuse.
French President Emmanuel Macron, FIFA officials and the Paraguayan government also denounced the senator’s comments, stressing that they did not reflect Paraguay’s values or its people.
The controversy has overshadowed Paraguay’s impressive World Cup run, while France now turn their attention to a quarter-final clash against Morocco as Mbappé continues to lead Les Bleus’ quest for a second World Cup title.
