French President Backs Mbappé In Dispute With Paraguayan Senator
French President Macron publicly backed Kylian Mbappé after the footballer clashed with a Paraguayan senator who posted discriminatory remarks on social media following France's World Cup victory.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly supported Kylian Mbappé, the captain of France's national football team, following a heated social media exchange with Celeste Amarilla, a Paraguayan senator.
The dispute began on July 4 during the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match, where France defeated Paraguay 1-0. Mbappé scored the winning goal from a penalty kick. After the match, Amarilla posted discriminatory remarks on X attacking Mbappé, describing him as an oppressed Cameroonian attempting to pose as French, calling him an illiterate savage, and suggesting he deserved to be slapped by a Paraguayan player.
Mbappé responded on X, characterizing Amarilla as a despicable woman unfit for her position and an incompetent who damages her country's image. He stated he would not tolerate her spreading hatred worldwide.
Macron has now intervened, posting on X: "Kylian Mbappé scored another goal by opposing discrimination, and I fully support him. When faced with contemptible racist speech, we must respond with our own values: dignity, respect, and brotherhood."
