Kylian Mbappe condemns Paraguayan senator over racist World Cup comments
France captain Kylian Mbappe has fiercely condemned Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla for directing “brazen racism” towards him following his nation’s World Cup victory over the South Americans.
The Real Madrid forward scored the decisive penalty during a fractious 1-0 win against Paraguay.
Tensions boiled over at full-time when the striker reportedly refused a handshake from opposition goalkeeper Orlando Gill.
Instead, the 27-year-old chose to celebrate his team’s progression, prompting a severe reaction from Amarilla on social media.
‘Despicable’ online attacks
Amarilla launched a highly offensive tirade on X, formerly Twitter, comparing the French international’s upbringing to a chimpanzee and stating he “sucked coconuts” instead of milk.
The politician also suggested that Gill should have made an obscene gesture at the victorious forward.
She then escalated her abuse on Instagram with further derogatory remarks.
Amarilla described the World Cup winner as “Cameroonian, colonised” and complained that a Paraguayan player did not physically assault him after the final whistle.
Mbappe’s firm rebuke
The prolific attacker quickly issued a powerful response on his own social media channels to denounce the politician’s actions.
He labelled the senator as an incompetent and despicable woman whose behaviour gave the worst possible image of her country.
“You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition,”
Mbappe wrote on X.
“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.”
The global superstar concluded his statement by vowing to never allow people like Amarilla the freedom to spread hatred across the world.
Context on the pitch
The French talisman has been in imperious form this summer, netting seven goals in just five tournament appearances.
His latest decisive strike came against a resilient Paraguayan side who frequently resorted to underhanded tactics and reckless challenges.
Despite repeated attempts at provocation from his opponents throughout the knockout tie, the forward maintained his discipline to secure a vital victory for Les Bleus.