Kylian Mbappé is silencing his detractors with a stunning World Cup campaign, scoring seven goals so far and breaking records. The France captain's performance has prompted some who previously criticized him for being outspoken or leaving Paris for Madrid to publicly ask for forgiveness.
Yet off the pitch, a darker narrative is unfolding. Experts are warning that the tournament has seen a surge in racism directed at players, including Mbappé himself. Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, an organization tackling discrimination in football, described the situation as "a huge issue."
According to Okafor, the rise in social media attacks needs to be viewed in a wider political context. "The political climate that we’re facing is clearly finding its way into football," he said. "And it’s making a huge difference in the levels of abuse we’re seeing – people are certainly being emboldened now more than ever."
The juxtaposition highlights a stark divide: Mbappé's on-field brilliance has repaired his reputation with fans even as systemic abuse persists. For players, the emotional toll of performing under such scrutiny remains an unspoken burden.
Kick It Out and other groups continue to push for stronger action from governing bodies. Without systemic changes, experts argue, the pattern of abuse will only deepen as political tensions rise globally.