​Paraguay fans sparked a stir after reportedly burning a mannequin of Kylian Mbappé during a festival that followed their World Cup exit. France had edged Paraguay 1-0, a result that made headlines for controversial behavior aimed largely at Mbappé. Although Les Bleus emerged with the victory thanks to a strike from their star player, the reaction abroad has been markedly different, with Paraguay drawing widespread criticism.
A video shared on Instagram by Steven Pegelow captures Paraguayan revelers celebrating at the San Juara festival on July 4, a traditional event in the country. In the footage, a man wearing a Paraguay shirt lights a mannequin bearing Mbappé’s name across the chest. The act is part of a longstanding tradition known as Judas Kai, in which an “unpopular” figure is symbolically burned to mark the festival.
Meanwhile, in France, a contrasting response has taken shape. A petition signing around 15,000 people called for an apology to Mbappé, reflecting the wider global reaction that has generally been sympathetic toward the French forward, despite the targeted vitriol directed at him. The backlash appears to be particularly intense in Asunción and across Paraguay, where the incident has sparked debate about sports rivalries and the treatment of athletes.
The Mbappé saga extends beyond the current match, echoing a broader, uneasy sense of rivalry that has persisted since the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina. The tension spilled over in Buenos Aires when Argentine supporters burned a coffin bearing Mbappé’s likeness in celebration, an act that accompanied taunts from Emiliano Martínez and other critics of the French forward. The ongoing feuds between nations in football stadiums and on social media highlight how deeply football can inflame national pride and personal animosities, even long after the final whistle.
As Paraguay processes the fallout from the incident, discussions continue about cultural expressions, sportsmanship, and the responsibilities of fans in the global arena. The episode has reignited conversations about how to balance passionate national support with respectful conduct, particularly when it involves real people and high-stakes competition. Mbappé’s star power and rising global profile remain central to the dynamics of these rivalries, with supporters around the world watching closely how public actions in the name of celebration can shape perceptions and legacies in football.