French football captain Kylian Mbappé has publicly condemned a Paraguayan senator as a "despicable woman" after she posted racist remarks about him on social media following France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. The French Football Federation has announced it will take legal action over the comments, which have drawn condemnation from both the French and Paraguayan governments.
What the senator said — and how Mbappé responded
After France eliminated Paraguay on Sunday, Senator Celeste Amarilla took to X to attack the match-winner. Her post described Mbappé as "newly rich, arrogant and ugly" and included comments targeting his Cameroonian heritage and nationality. It was not her first offence — she had also criticised the striker's heritage and intelligence in a separate post the day before.
Mbappé, who had scored the match's only goal from the penalty spot in the 70th minute, responded directly and forcefully. "You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition," the 27-year-old wrote. He accused Amarilla of recklessness and "brazen racism", adding that her conduct had overshadowed the historic effort put in by Paraguay's players. He said she was "unworthy" of the position she holds.
Amarilla, 61, is a lawyer and a member of Paraguay's Authentic Radical Liberal Party.
French Football Federation to pursue legal action
The French Football Federation (FFF) was unequivocal in its response, labelling Amarilla's remarks "criminal and reprehensible." In a strongly worded statement, the federation said: "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."
The FFF confirmed it will file a report with the public prosecutor's office with a view to commencing legal proceedings. The federation also reaffirmed its "full support" to Mbappé, the squad, and "all victims of such abhorrent remarks," and said it remains committed to combating discrimination in football.
France's assistant coach Guy Stephan was blunt in his assessment of the incident, summing it up in just three words: "disgraceful, vile, outrageous."
Paraguay's government distances itself from the senator's comments
Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs moved swiftly to separate the government from Amarilla's remarks. In an official statement, it said the government "deplores and rejects" what the senator said about the French captain, noting the comments "run counter to the values and principles of peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity" that Paraguay upholds.
The ministry emphasised that Paraguay operates under the principle of separation and independence of state powers, and that Amarilla's statements "in no way" represent the position of the Paraguayan government or its people.
The French President's office confirmed that Paraguayan President Santiago Peña Palacios had written personally to Emmanuel Macron to express his support and condemn the remarks — a further sign of the diplomatic weight the incident had taken on.
A controversy that has cast a shadow over the tournament
The episode is among the more serious off-field incidents of the current tournament and forms part of a broader pattern of List of 2026 FIFA World Cup controversies that have emerged alongside the on-pitch action.
Mbappé's message to Amarilla, however, carried a pointed final note — that her racism had already caused the world to forget the genuine achievement of the Paraguayan players, who had earned widespread praise for their competitive showing before their elimination.
