Rabat – France captain Kylian Mbappe has strongly responded to Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after she made racist and offensive remarks following France’s 1-0 win over Paraguay.
The comments came after France eliminated Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16, with Mbappe scoring the only goal from the penalty spot.
Amarilla targeted Mbappe on social media after the match, using racist language and questioning his identity.
She also criticized his conduct after the final whistle and made remarks about what Paraguay players should have done to him.
Mbappe condemns Amarilla
Mbappe answered with a firm message, accusing the Paraguayan senator of damaging the image of her country.
“Mrs. Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” Mbappe wrote.
He added that Amarilla did not represent Paraguay, a country he said had shown passion and honor during the tournament.
Mbappe also said her comments had moved attention away from Paraguay’s historic World Cup run.
According to the France captain, Amarilla’s racism and lack of responsibility made the world focus on her instead of the effort made by Paraguay’s players.
“I will never allow people like you to spread their hatred and racism across the world,” Mbappe added.
FFF backs France captain
The French Football Federation also condemned Amarilla’s comments and said it would take legal action.
The FFF described the remarks as unacceptable and said it would report the matter to the public prosecutor’s office.
French officials said the comments were not only an attack on Mbappe, but also on the values of the national team.
The case adds to the tension that followed the France-Paraguay match.
Former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert had also drawn criticism before the game after referring to the French team as “a squad from Africa,” a comment condemned by the French federation.
France prepare for Morocco
France have now turned their attention to their World Cup quarterfinal against Morocco.
The match will take place on Thursday in Boston at 9 p.m. Moroccan time.
The controversy around Amarilla comes at a sensitive moment for France, who are preparing for one of their biggest matches of the tournament.
For Mbappe, the response was not only about defending himself.
It was also a message against racist language from public figures, especially after a World Cup match watched by millions.
France advanced on the pitch, but the reaction after the match has now become another major issue around their campaign.
