Kylian Mbappé has strongly condemned racist remarks made by Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after France’s victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup, calling her “a despicable woman” and saying there is no place for racism in football or society.
France defeated Paraguay 1-0 in Philadelphia on Saturday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, with Mbappé scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot in a tense and physical encounter.
Following the match, Amarilla posted a series of racist comments on social media, questioning Mbappé’s French identity and making offensive remarks about his background. She also suggested that Paraguay’s players should have physically confronted the French captain after the game.
Responding publicly, Mbappé defended both himself and the Paraguayan team, saying the senator’s remarks dishonored her office and overshadowed Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign.
He said Amarilla did not represent Paraguay, praising the country’s players for their passion and commitment throughout the tournament. Mbappé also vowed to continue speaking out against racism, saying he would never allow hatred and discrimination to spread unchecked.
The French Football Federation (FFF) condemned the senator’s comments as “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable” and announced plans to file a criminal complaint with French prosecutors, arguing that the remarks constituted a criminal offense.
The Government of Paraguay also distanced itself from Amarilla’s comments, stating that they reflected only her personal views and did not represent the country’s values or the Paraguayan people. Officials reaffirmed their commitment to respect, peaceful coexistence, and human dignity.
According to the French presidency, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña contacted Emmanuel Macron to express solidarity and condemn the racist remarks.
President Macron later voiced his support for Mbappé on social media, praising the France captain for standing against racism and emphasizing the values of dignity, respect, and fraternity.
Meanwhile, Basilio Núñez rejected the senator’s statements, saying they did not reflect the genuine values of Paraguayans. He also stressed that politics and sport should remain separate.
France assistant coach Guy Stéphan described the comments as “disgraceful, vile, and outrageous,” expressing the team’s support for Mbappé.
