​Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla said on Thursday that her Instagram profile had been hacked, a claim she made a few days after posting a string of racist remarks about Kylian Mbappé in the wake of France’s victory over Paraguay in a World Cup knockout round. In a post on X, she claimed the Instagram account had been compromised “possibly since this morning,” and she added that she should not be held responsible for anything and all posts from that moment forward were not authored by her. The account itself did not display obvious signs of a hack, aside from a WhatsApp invitation link in her bio that had become invalid by Thursday afternoon.
The alleged hacking follows a period during which Amarilla published several statements attacking Mbappé, describing him as a “brute,” a “colonised Cameroonian,” and asserting that as a child he “sucked on coconuts,” with the most educated beings he had ever listened to being chimpanzees. These remarks came after a notably physical France-Paraguay match, during which Mbappé taunted opponents and refused to shake hands with Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Orlando Gill. Mbappé responded by labeling the senator a “despicable woman” and arguing that her comments had undermined the recognition due to Paraguay’s players for their World Cup journey, saying the world had already forgotten their historic effort because of her actions. He also suggested he would pursue legal action over what he described as gender-based and political violence in response to her remarks.
Amarilla later deleted her initial post by Tuesday and expressed remorse for insulting Mbappé, though she continued to criticize the soccer star and even urged him to apologize to her while threatening to sue him. In a public statement, Mbappé countered with a strong rebuke, calling her “despicable” and saying she did not represent Paraguay. He stated that her recklessness and open racism had cast a pall over the country’s performance and implied that her statements undermined the hard work and achievements of Paraguayan players during the tournament. He added that he would not tolerate people spreading hatred and racism globally.
Despite her expressed regret for the racist remarks, Amarilla persisted in disparaging Mbappé in public remarks. For instance, during a Paraguayan Senate session on Wednesday, she attacked Mbappé again, referring to him in crude terms for his decision not to shake Gill’s hand and insisting, with a political edge, that “a Frenchman wouldn’t do that.” Her comments drew renewed attention amid ongoing discussions about sportsmanship, national representation, and the boundaries of political discourse in relation to international sports figures.
From a broader perspective, Mbappé remains a central figure not only for his on-field achievements but also for his marketability and prominence in discussions about earnings and endorsements. Forbes’ 2026 ranking places him at No. 12 among the world’s highest-paid athletes, with an estimated $95 million in earnings over the preceding year, including about $70 million from on-field performance. His status underscores the financial and cultural impact of top-tier football players, even as public figures in various regions navigate the pressures of social media, national reputation, and political rhetoric.
The controversy surrounding Amarilla highlights the ongoing tensions between sports, politics, and online discourse. It raises questions about accountability for statements made by public officials in the realm of social media, the potential for misattribution or manipulation of accounts through hacks, and the broader implications for Paraguay’s image in the international arena. As the situation evolves, observers will be watching not only for any formal clarifications or apologies but also for how Paraguay’s political leadership addresses issues of racism, respect in sport, and the responsibilities that come with holding public office in a global era where words can rapidly reach a worldwide audience.