Macron backs Mbappé, condemns racist attacks after Paraguay's World Cup exit

French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly backed Kylian Mbappé, condemning racist attacks directed at the national team captain after Paraguay's elimination from the 2026 World Cup. The Elysée Palace announced Monday that Macron supports Mbappé and the French team against the "racist attacks" leveled by a Paraguayan senator.

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The president of the Republic supports Kylian Mbappé and the French team in the face of racist attacks directed against the captain of the Blues.

Macron stated on X, formerly Twitter, "All my support. When words soil, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity. @KMbappe 👏." He was responding to Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla, who reportedly called the French star a "brute" who "never learned to write" and a "colonized Cameroonian, pretending to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant and ugly."

Mbappé himself responded to the senator's comments, writing on X, "Madame Celeste Amarilla, You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, this country that has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. By your unconsciousness and your uninhibited racism, the whole world has already forgotten the historic journey and effort that your players made during this World Cup."

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All my support. When words soil, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity. @KMbappe 👏

The Paraguayan presidency has reportedly written to Macron, condemning the senator's statements, as has Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position. You do not represent Paraguay, this country that has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. By your unconsciousness and your uninhibited racism, the whole world has already forgotten the historic journey and effort that your players made during this World Cup.