Mbappé Condemns Paraguayan Senator's Racist Attacks After World Cup Match

The Round of 16 World Cup match between France and Paraguay was notably physical and emotional, with tensions spilling over after the final whistle. Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla posted racist remarks on social media targeting Kylian Mbappé, who scored the winning goal for France. Mbappé responded sharply on Monday evening, calling Amarilla a "despicable woman unworthy of her position" and stating she does not represent Paraguay, a country he praised for its passionate and honorable performance throughout the tournament. He condemned her blatant racism and irresponsibility, emphasizing that her comments overshadowed Paraguay's historic World Cup journey and tarnished the country's image globally.

Amarilla's posts included derogatory claims that Mbappé is a "Cameroonian who underwent colonization and desperately tries to present himself as French," describing him as "bitter, arrogant, and ugly," and criticizing his team's performance. She also insulted Mbappé by saying he "did not even learn to write," was raised on coconuts instead of mother's milk, and that the most cultured beings he listened to were chimpanzees. Amarilla expressed regret that Paraguayan players did not slap Mbappé after the match, despite not being a football fan.

The controversy followed earlier remarks by Paraguayan football legend José Luis Chilavert, who sparked outrage by referring to the French team as an "African team." Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, condemned Chilavert's comments as offensive to the values of respect, brotherhood, and diversity fundamental to football. Mbappé currently leads the World Cup scoring chart with seven goals, tied with Lionel Messi of Argentina and Erling Haaland of Norway.