France captain Kylian Mbappe has condemned racist comments made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla following his side’s victory over Paraguay in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, saying she had brought shame to her country and diverted attention from the national team’s achievements.
The controversy emerged after France secured a 1-0 win to book a place in the quarter-finals, with Mbappe scoring the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
In the aftermath of the match, Amarilla posted offensive and racist remarks about the France forward on social media, questioning his identity. She also criticised Mbappe’s behaviour after the final whistle and made comments about how Paraguay’s players should have treated him.
Mbappe responded publicly, delivering a strongly worded message in which he criticised the senator’s conduct and questioned her suitability for public office.
“Mrs. Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” Mbappe wrote.
The France captain also said Amarilla’s views did not reflect those of Paraguay, praising the country’s players and supporters for the commitment and dignity they had displayed during the tournament.
According to Mbappe, the senator’s comments had overshadowed what had been a memorable World Cup campaign for Paraguay.
He argued that her racist remarks and irresponsible behaviour had shifted international attention away from the performances of the Paraguayan team and placed the focus instead on the controversy surrounding her comments.
“I will never allow people like you to spread their hatred and racism across the world,” Mbappe added.
The French Football Federation has also condemned Amarilla’s remarks and announced that it intends to pursue legal action.
The federation described the comments as unacceptable and said the matter would be reported to the public prosecutor’s office.
French officials said the remarks represented more than a personal attack on Mbappe, arguing that they also targeted the principles and values represented by the France national team.
The latest dispute follows earlier controversy involving former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert before the teams met in the round of 16.
Chilavert had attracted criticism after describing the France side as “a squad from Africa”, a statement that was also condemned by the French Football Federation.
Despite the off-field controversy, France’s attention is now turning back to football as they prepare for their World Cup quarter-final against Morocco.
The match is scheduled to be played in Boston on Thursday at 9 p.m. Moroccan time, with France seeking to continue their progress in the tournament after edging past Paraguay.
However, the fallout from the last-16 encounter has become a significant talking point ahead of that fixture.
For Mbappe, his response extended beyond defending himself personally. It also served as a broader condemnation of racist language, particularly when used by elected public officials following a match watched by millions around the world.
France’s victory over Paraguay ensured their place in the quarter-finals, but the reaction after the final whistle has created a separate challenge for the team, with the racism row becoming one of the dominant stories surrounding their World Cup campaign as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.
