Kylian Mbappé and the French Football Federation (FFF) have publicly condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla of the Liberal Radical Party after she posted racist remarks on X targeting Mbappé's origins, following France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last-16 round. The Government of Paraguay has since distanced itself from the senator's comments, calling them contrary to the values of human dignity and peaceful coexistence.

What Mbappé Said

In a direct and forceful response, Mbappé called Senator Amarilla 'a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,' adding that she does 'not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.' He further stated: 'Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.' Mbappé concluded by asserting he would 'never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world.'

FFF Files Complaint, Calls Remarks 'Criminal'

The French Football Federation described the senator's remarks as 'utterly abhorrent and unacceptable,' and announced it was filing a report with the prosecutor's office to pursue judicial action. 'How can anyone make such statements? These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere,' the federation said in an official statement. It added that the players of the France national team represent the country itself, framing the remarks as an insult to the French nation.

Paraguay Government Rejects Senator's Comments

The Government of the Republic of Paraguay issued an official statement deploring and rejecting Senator Amarilla's expressions. It clarified that her statements 'correspond exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the legislative branch and in no way represent the position of the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people.' The government reaffirmed its commitment to human rights, equality, and the fight against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance, and expressed solidarity with those affected by the remarks. It also reiterated Paraguay's historic relationship of friendship and cooperation with France.

The Match That Sparked the Controversy

Mbappé scored his seventh goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — converting from the penalty spot — as France edged out Paraguay 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they are set to face Morocco. It was a hard-fought encounter that Paraguay had approached with considerable passion, making the senator's post-defeat remarks all the more jarring given the pride her own country's players had displayed on the pitch.

A Broader Pattern of Racism in Football

This incident is the latest in a long line of racist episodes that have dogged international football, including at the highest levels of the game. Notably, governing bodies such as FIFA and national federations have repeatedly pledged zero tolerance for discrimination, yet enforcement — particularly against public officials operating outside the sport — remains a grey area. The FFF's decision to pursue judicial action signals an intent to push beyond symbolic condemnation. Whether Paraguayan authorities will act against one of their own legislators remains to be seen.