​Kylian Mbappe will lead France into the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, July 14, as Les Bleus take on Spain in a high-profile clash in Arlington, Texas.Mbappe has been one of the biggest stars at the World Cup, scoring eight goals to enter the semifinal round tied atop the Golden Boot leaderboard alongside Lionel Messi.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe France forward has been mostly concerned with on-field matters at the World Cup, but took some time earlier this month to address a major controversy stemming from France’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16.The match in Philadelphia was contentious and featured multiple altercations between the sides. After the final whistle, there was an incident between Mbappe and Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill, which ended with Gill throwing the ball at Mbappe.”I tried to shake his hand, but since he didn’t pay me any attention, I lost my temper,” Gill said after the game.Though tempers were high, the incident caused one Paraguayan politician to cross the line in comments about Mbappe.1 / 5US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)In response to the incident, Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla posted racist remarks on her X account, some of which were later deleted.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”The brute didn’t even learn to write,” she said of Mbappe, before comparing him to a chimpanzee.She added: “You should’ve shown him the finger, Orlando Gill; I do it in the senate and nothing happens!!!”In a separate post, Amarilla wrote of Mbappe: “Colonized Cameroonian, pretending hard to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant, and ugly.”Amarilla’s words would not go unanswered.The France star hit out at Amarilla on social media, calling her a “despicable woman.””Madame Celeste Amarilla, You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” Mbappe said.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition. Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.”Amarilla has been condemned by the Paraguayan senate, which formally rejected her “discriminatory and racist” comments last week.The Paraguayan government said Amarilla’s remarks were “contrary to the values ​​and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn response to the controversy, Amarilla wrote an open letter to Mbappe admitting she regretted using the racist insults. At the same time, ho