Mbappe Hits Back at Paraguayan Senator Over Racist Remarks

France captain Kylian Mbappé has strongly condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she made racist comments about his background and education following France’s World Cup victory over Paraguay.

Amarilla, a member of Paraguay’s Liberal Radical Party, posted the remarks on X after France knocked Paraguay out of the tournament in the last 16.

Mbappe described the senator as “despicable” and said she was unworthy of holding public office.

“You do not represent Paraguay, a country that showed passion and honour throughout the competition,” Mbappe wrote.

He added that her “recklessness and brazen racism” had overshadowed Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign and given the country a poor image on the world stage.

“I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world,” the France forward said.

Mbappe scored the winning penalty in France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay on Saturday, sending his side into the quarter-finals, where they will face Morocco in Boston.

The 27-year-old is also enjoying an outstanding tournament, with seven goals, making him the joint-leading scorer alongside Lionel Messi of Argentina and Erling Haaland of Norway.

The latest controversy follows earlier comments by former Paraguay goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, who claimed before the match that Paraguay would be facing “a squad from Africa” rather than France.

Those remarks were condemned by Philippe Diallo, who called Chilavert “a disgrace”.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the racist remarks made by José Luis Chilavert against the French national team, which undermine the values of respect, fraternity and diversity in our football,” Diallo said.

France will now turn its attention to Thursday’s World Cup quarter-final against Morocco as Mbappe continues his quest to lead Les Bleus to another world title.