What Paraguay senator said about Kylian Mbappe, who slammed her for racism

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What Paraguay senator said about Kylian Mbappe, who slammed her for racism

What Paraguay senator said about Kylian Mbappe, who slammed her for racism

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Thu, Jul 9, 2026 ·

4 min read

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France star Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of his team's 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup, and Paraguay an Sen . Celeste Amarilla sounded off with racist remarks on social media after the match.

The match in Philadelphia was intense and featured multiple altercations between the sides. After the final whistle, there was an incident between Mbappe and Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill , which ended with Gill throwing the ball at Mbappe.

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Kylian Mbappé has been unstoppable for France at the 2026 World Cup.
These photos capture some of his greatest moments on the pitch. Mbappe runs with the ball past Iraq's midfielder Zaid Ismael during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.

(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe competes for the ball with Paraguay's Diego Gomez Soccer during the Round of 16 match in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
(BILL STREICHER, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Kylian Mbappe and Senegal's forward Sadio Mane fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 16, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe scores France's first goal against Sweden during the Round of 32 match in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 30, 2026.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)

Kylian Mbappe jumps during the group match between France and Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22, 2026.
(MAURO PIMENTEL, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe scores France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Mike Segar, REUTERS)

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s first goal during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Dan Mullan, Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe scores France’s team's third goal during group stage match between France and Senegal in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 16, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between France and Sweden in East Rutherford, N.J. on June 30, 2026.
(ANGELA WEISS, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe and Paraguay's defender Juan Jose Caceres fall on the ground during their 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappechases after the ball during the group stage match between France and Senegal on June 16, 2026 in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)

Kylian Mbappe scores France's first goal from the penalty spot during the Round of 16 against Paraguay in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
(Dylan Martinez, REUTERS)

Kylian Mbappe scores France's first goal past Paraguay's Orlando Gill from the penalty spot.
(BILL STREICHER, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring France's first goal against Paraguay in Philadelphia, July 4, 2026.
(Dylan Martinez, REUTERS)

"I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn't pay me any attention, I lost my temper," Gill said after the game.

Here's a lookback at what Amarilla said and how Mbappe responded, including him calling her a "despicable woman."

What Paraguay Sen. Celeste Amarilla said

In response to the incident, Amarilla posted racist remarks on her X account, some of which were later deleted.

"The brute didn't even learn to write," she said of Mbappe, before continuing to compare the world-class player to a chimpanzee.

"You should've shown him the finger, Orlando Gill; I do it in the senate and nothing happens!!!"

In another post, Amarilla said of Mbappe: "Colonized Cameroonian, pretending hard to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly. He was nervous and scared to death the whole match, like his entire team; they couldn't even score a goal, they won by a fluke."

What Mbappe said about Paraguay senator

Mbappe did not allow Amarilla's racist remark to go unanswered.

"Madame Celeste Amarilla, You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position," Mbappe said in a post on social media.

"You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. 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, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.

"I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world."

France faces Morocco in the quarterfinals on Thursday, July 9.

Paraguay senator fallout from comments

On July 6, Paraguay's government said the senator's comments were "contrary to the values and principles" of their country. The next day, French prosecutors began an investigation after the French Football Federation took the case to them.

Also on July 7, Amarilla used an open letter to demand Mbappe apologize to her even after saying she regretted using the racist insults, and mentioned in an interview the same day that she may consider suing Mbappe.

On July 8, the Paraguayan senate formally rejected her comments.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Instagram "unequivocally condemned" the abuse, stating: "All of football and society stand in solidarity with the France captain – we need to fight racism and defeat it all together."

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