Video.. Mbappe burns in celebration in Paraguay

Al Arabiya.net

Published: July 10, 2026: 12:59 AM GST Last updated: July 10, 2026: 01:22 AM GST

Paraguayans celebrated by burning an effigy of Kylian Mbappe, star of the French national team, as part of the "San Juan" festivities, having chosen him as the most hated figure in the country.

Videos of the burning of the effigy with Mbappe's name on it spread across global media, as Paraguayans consider the Real Madrid star the most hated person in their country, following the events surrounding the match between the two teams in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The match between France and Paraguay witnessed many rough tackles between players of both teams, with Mbappe involved, before Senator Celeste Amarilla appeared and described him as a "colonized Cameroonian," prompting him to respond by calling her a "despicable woman."

The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry intervened and confirmed that Amarilla's statements do not represent the country, while French President Emmanuel Macron supported his national team player.