World Cup
Mbappé slams Paraguayan senator’s racist tirade after World Cup win
In the buzzing atmosphere of Philadelphia’s stadium, the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s last‑16 clash between France and Paraguay unfolded under bright lights. France captain Kylian Mbappé (27) later used X to denounce Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla’s racist outburst.
Mbappé’s coolly‑taken spot‑kick in the 70th minute proved decisive in a tense, hardly‑fought contest. The goal broke the deadlock and secured Les Bleus’ victory over the Albirroja.
After the final whistle, Amarilla posted several aggressive messages on X. She described Mbappé as “a colonised Cameroonian passing himself off as French” and called him an illiterate “brute”.
Two days after France’s win, Mbappé replied, labeling the senator a despicable woman unworthy of her position. He wrote: “You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition.”
He added: “Through your recklessness and brazen racism, the whole 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 currently tops the World Cup goalscoring charts. He shares the lead with Norway’s Erling Haaland and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
The Fédération Française de Football echoed Mbappé’s condemnation, calling Amarilla’s slurs “utterly abhorrent and unacceptable.” The French FA reported the incident to the public prosecutor’s office to pursue legal proceedings.
The episode underscores the persistent challenge of racism in football and the need for swift institutional action. Report compiled by Bastien Cheval.