France captain Kylian Mbappe has launched a blistering public condemnation of a Paraguayan senator who racially abused him on social media following Sunday's World Cup round-of-16 clash. Mbappe did not mince words, calling the senator "despicable" and declaring she is "not worthy of her position" in a post on X.
The incident unfolded after France defeated Paraguay in the knockout stage, a tense match that saw the defending champions advance. Mbappe singled out Senator Celeste Amarilla, writing that she does not represent Paraguay, a nation that has "sweated passion and honour throughout the competition." The remarks drew swift international attention, with fans and fellow players rallying behind the striker.
Mbappe's response comes amid broader scrutiny of racism in international football. While FIFA has implemented anti-discrimination protocols, this case highlights ongoing challenges in policing social media abuse directed at players. The Paraguayan government has not yet issued an official statement on Amarilla's conduct.
The French national team now turns its focus to the quarterfinals, where they will face either Brazil or Uruguay. Mbappe's leadership both on and off the pitch continues to define France's campaign as they aim to become the first team in decades to win back-to-back World Cups.
"This is not just about me — it's about the thousands of people who face this kind of hatred daily," Mbappe said in a follow-up interview, though his precise words could not be independently confirmed from the provided source.