Mbappé blasts Paraguayan senator as racism row escalates

Mbappé fires back after senator's racist rant

Kylian Mbappé did not hold back. After Paraguay senator Celeste Amarilla called the France captain a "colonised Cameroonian" following France 1–0 Paraguay in the World Cup round of 16, Mbappé posted a blistering response (1)(2). "You are a despicable woman, unworthy of your role. You do not represent Paraguay," he wrote, adding that "the whole world has already forgotten the historic effort of its players" because of her "thoughtless racism" (4). The Paraguayan government and foreign ministry have distanced themselves from Amarilla's words. The French Football Federation announced it will file criminal charges (2). Real Madrid publicly backed Mbappé and condemned the attacks (3).

Amarilla doubles down, now threatens Mbappé

An apology was not enough to end it. Amarilla issued one, then immediately attacked Mbappé again, claiming she is the real victim of "gender-based violence" (1). She went further on Tuesday, referencing Ronaldinho's 2020 detention in Paraguay: "Ronaldinho was already imprisoned here" (5). The public prosecutor's office in Paraguay has opened an investigation (2).

Fan reactions

Paraguay fans on Reddit are not defending Amarilla. The reaction in the r/soccer round of 16 elimination thread is quiet on the controversy itself, but the focus is on the brutal CONMEBOL purge, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay all went out at the same stage. See the full breakdown.