Kylian Mbappé responded forcefully to the racist attack he faced from Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, labeling her as “a despicable woman unworthy of her position.” The incident occurred after the intense Round of 16 clash in the 2026 World Cup, where France defeated Paraguay 1-0, with the solitary goal scored by Mbappé himself from the penalty spot.
Tension was palpable on the pitch, with several verbal confrontations between the French forward and Paraguayan players throughout the match. However, the hostile atmosphere did not extend beyond the field among the direct participants. Celeste Amarilla, in the aftermath of the game, made racist and xenophobic remarks directed at Mbappé, attacking his background, education, and appearance. In light of this hateful discourse, the French international did not hesitate to respond publicly on social media.
In his response, Mbappé did not hold back: “Madame Celeste Amarilla is a despicable woman and unworthy of her position,” wrote the player. “She does not represent Paraguay, a country that exudes passion and honor throughout the competition. Due to her recklessness and blatant racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and historic effort that its players made in this World Cup, giving way to an incompetent woman who presents the worst possible image of her country. I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism around the world.”
The Government of Paraguay quickly distanced itself from the senator's words, issuing a statement in which it “repudiates and rejects” Amarilla's declarations, while reaffirming its “commitment to combating racism, xenophobia, intolerance, and any manifestation of hatred or discrimination.”
The French Football Federation also reacted firmly, announcing its intention to pursue legal action regarding the incident. “The racist statements made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla directed at Kylian Mbappé are absolutely abhorrent and unacceptable,” the statement reads. “How is it possible to make such comments? These statements are criminal and condemnable. They must be prosecuted, here and anywhere else. The FFF is communicating the case to the Public Prosecutor's Office for legal proceedings. The Federation expresses its full support for its captain, its players, and, more broadly, for all victims of such abhorrent comments. Now more than ever, the FFF is committed to the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. These statements shame those who utter them and those who spread them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted.”
This is the second consecutive time that the FFF has been forced to defend Mbappé following racist attacks during World Cups, recalling that after the final of the 2022 World Cup, Kingsley Coman, then a Bayern Munich player, was also the target of racist insults on social media.
Mbappé's immediate response, as well as the reaction from French and Paraguayan institutions, makes it clear that the fight against racism in football remains an urgent and unavoidable battle in the international sports landscape.
NOW YOU CAN FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP WITH ALL THE INFORMATION – HERE
O MUNDIAL 2026 VIVE-SE COM A LEGO
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
