Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla escalated a bitter public feud with French football star Kylian Mbappe by hurling fresh insults at him during a formal address before the Paraguayan Senate, calling him a 'son of a…' while defending the racist social media posts that had already drawn widespread condemnation. The latest outburst came on the heels of a World Cup last-16 clash between France and Paraguay.

What Amarilla Said in the Senate

Speaking from the Senate floor, Amarilla — a member of Paraguay's Liberal Radical Party — reiterated her anger over Mbappe's reported refusal to shake hands with Paraguayan goalkeeper Orlando Gill after the match. In her address, she stated: 'When Orlando Gill, a boy who was surely setting foot in a World Cup for the first time, in Europe for the first time, was playing before the world and extended his hand with all the humility of a Paraguayan, and this son of a --- refused to shake his hand and yelled in his face – that is not French. A Frenchman would never have done that, never.'

How the Feud Began

The dispute originated with a series of racist posts by Amarilla mocking Mbappe's origins following the World Cup last-16 fixture between the two nations. Mbappe responded sharply, saying: 'You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.'

Rather than de-escalating, Amarilla fired back with an open letter demanding a public apology from the French striker and threatening legal action, alleging that French football's characterisation of her as 'despicable' amounted to 'gender-based violence.' She also alleged an attack on her 'dignity as a woman and political representative' and demanded an immediate retraction.

France Camp Stays Focused

Despite the controversy swirling around their star forward, France head coach Didier Deschamps insisted that Mbappe remains mentally composed. Speaking to the media, Deschamps stated: 'Kylian is in a good place mentally. He's ready for tomorrow.' The coach underlined that collective squad strength is helping players manage the pressures of the tournament as France prepare for a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semi-final against Morocco, known as the Atlas Lions.

Broader Context

The episode has drawn attention well beyond football circles, with critics arguing that a sitting senator using a parliamentary platform to hurl personal abuse at a foreign athlete represents a serious breach of institutional decorum. This is not the first time a World Cup has been accompanied by politically charged commentary from elected officials, but the use of a Senate chamber to reiterate racial and personal slurs is notably rare. Observers note that Mbappe's response — measured but pointed — has drawn considerable public sympathy, while Amarilla's escalation has attracted fresh criticism both domestically and internationally.