Macron and Mbappé Condemn Paraguayan Senator's Racist Remarks

After Paraguay’s defeat to France in the round of 16 of the World Cup, Senator Celeste Amarilla directed remarks at Kylian Mbappé that were widely interpreted as racist. She called the French star a “brute,” mocked his intelligence, and questioned whether he is truly French.

The comments provoked anger across France and were labelled an act of “brazen racism” by Politico and Africanews. Observers noted that the remarks came shortly after France’s victory over Paraguay in the knockout stage of the tournament.

On Monday, Kylian Mbappé responded publicly, condemning the senator and describing her as “despicable” while stating she is “not worthy” of her position. His statement was reported by both Africanews and RFI English.

French President Emmanuel Macron also entered the debate, condemning the senator’s remarks as unacceptable and echoing the criticism voiced by Mbappé and others in the country.

The incident has highlighted sensitivities around national identity and race in the context of international sport, with many in France viewing the senator’s words as an attack on both the player and the nation’s multicultural makeup.

While the reports do not detail any formal sanctions or further official actions, the joint condemnation by the team captain and the president suggests the matter will continue to attract public attention and may prompt additional responses from sporting or diplomatic bodies.