The Paraguayan senator who made racist remarks about French footballer Kylian Mbappe has a name that might as well be 'Racist in Chief'. Celeste Amarilla is a senator in Paraguay, a country that has been praised for its efforts to promote peaceful coexistence. But Amarilla's recent outburst on X has left many wondering how someone who holds such a high office can be so ignorant.
Amarilla called Mbappe a 'colonised Cameroonian pretending hard to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant and ugly' who won by a fluke after Paraguay was eliminated by the French team in the World Cup. Mbappe responded swiftly, calling Amarilla a 'despicable woman' who does not represent Paraguay. He further stated that her 'brazen' racism has caused the world to forget the performance and effort displayed by the Paraguayan players in the World Cup.
The French Football Federation (FFF) announced that it will file a report with the prosecutor's office, describing Amarilla's actions as 'criminal and unacceptable'. 'These remarks are criminal and reprehensible,' the FFF stated. 'They must be prosecuted here as elsewhere. These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who disseminate them.' The FFF also emphasized that the players of the French national team represent France, and it is the country that is being insulted.
But Amarilla is not backing down. She published an open letter expressing partial regret over her remarks, but she also accused Mbappe of 'gender-based violence' in his response to her. This has sparked further outrage, with Real Madrid, the club Mbappe plays for, releasing a statement condemning Amarilla's comments as racist and xenophobic.
Mbappe's response has sparked a wider conversation about racism in football and the need for greater accountability. As the World Cup continues, it's clear that this is an issue that won't go away anytime soon.
'Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honour throughout the competition,' Mbappe wrote.
Amarilla's actions have also drawn condemnation from the Paraguayan government, which called out her remarks as 'contrary to the values that inspire peaceful coexistence'. The government emphasized that Amarilla's statements reflect her individual responsibility as a legislator alone.
Mbappe's next match is against Morocco in the first quarterfinal in Foxborough on Thursday, 9 July 2026. The world will be watching to see how he responds to Amarilla's continued attacks.