• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. The incident has divided football fans on social media.
  2. Amarilla launched another strong verbal attack on Mbappe.
  3. The controversy began after France defeated Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is approaching its business end, and among the biggest controversies, the Kylian Mbappe vs Paraguay Senator saga has continued to gather momentum.

As per reports, Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla has once again lashed out at the French superstar, escalating an already heated exchange. The latest episode comes after Mbappe reportedly refused to shake hands with Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill following France's victory that sealed their place in the quarter-finals.

The incident has divided football fans on social media, with some defending Mbappe's competitive emotions immediately after the final whistle, while others believe the French captain should have acknowledged Gill's sporting gesture.

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Celeste Amarilla's New Comments

Amarilla launched another strong verbal attack on Mbappe while speaking to the media, accusing him of disrespecting both Orlando Gill and the spirit of fair play.

"When Orlando Gill, a boy who was surely setting foot in a World Cup for the first time, in Europe for the first time, was playing before the world and extended his hand with all the humility of a Paraguayan, and this son of a b**** refuses to shake his hand and yells in his face that is not French. A Frenchman would never have done that," said Amarilla.

The senator then separated Mbappe's actions from France's cultural identity. "France is Rousseau, Descartes, Montesquieu, Victor Hugo, Simone de Beauvoir, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. I refuse to reduce all of that great France and that enormous cultural, artistic, and democratic legacy to Mbappe," she stated.

Her latest remarks have once again sparked widespread debate online, with supporters from both France and Paraguay weighing in on whether the criticism has gone too far.

What Happened Earlier?

The controversy began after France defeated Paraguay in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.

Following the final whistle, Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill reportedly walked towards Mbappe and extended his hand in what appeared to be a gesture of respect after a fiercely contested encounter. Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Mbappe declining the handshake before exchanging words with the goalkeeper.

Although the exact nature of the conversation remains unclear, the clip quickly went viral, leading to criticism from several sections of Paraguayan media. Celeste Amarilla was among the first public figures to condemn Mbappe, accusing him of showing disrespect towards Paraguay's players.

The incident soon evolved from an on-field disagreement into a political talking point, with Amarilla repeatedly commenting on Mbappe's behavior in interviews and social media posts.

Did Mbappe Respond?

Mbappe himself has not publicly addressed Amarilla's latest comments. The French forward has also remained silent on the handshake controversy, choosing to keep his focus on France's World Cup campaign.

France head coach Didier Deschamps, however, dismissed any concerns surrounding his captain's mental state ahead of the quarter-final.

"Kylian is in a good place mentally. He's ready for tomorrow," Deschamps said during the pre-match press conference.

The statement suggests the French camp, along with Mbappe himself, is keen to move on from the off-field controversy and concentrate on the knockout stages.

ALSO READ: Kylian Mbappe Racial Abuse Controversy: Paraguayan Senator Warns French Star Over Remarks; FIFA President Reacts

What's Next For France & Mbappe?

With France now preparing for a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final, Mbappe will once again find himself under the spotlight. Any further interaction involving the French captain is likely to attract significant attention given the ongoing feud with Amarilla.

Whether the controversy ends here or fresh comments emerge after France's next match remains to be seen. For now, Mbappe's primary objective will be helping Les Bleus move one step closer to lifting another FIFA World Cup trophy topping the Golden Boot chart.


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