French football star Kylian Mbappe has publicly condemned a Paraguayan senator over what he described as racist remarks made after France’s narrow 1-0 victory over Paraguay at the FIFA World Cup, triggering a diplomatic response from Paraguay and support from French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mbappe took to X on Monday to criticise Senator Celeste Amarilla, who had made a series of social media posts over the weekend referencing the French forward with racist tropes following Saturday’s match.

“You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position,” Mbappe wrote on X. “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.”

The remarks quickly drew international attention, with Macron expressing solidarity with the French captain.

The French president wrote on X that Mbappe has “all my support” in fighting racism.

The French Football Federation also rallied behind its star player, saying in a statement that it would seek judicial action with prosecutors over the matter.

Paraguay’s government moved swiftly to distance itself from Amarilla’s comments. In a statement released Monday, the country’s Foreign Ministry said it “deplored and rejected” the senator’s remarks.

According to the ministry, her comments “in no way represent the position of the Paraguayan government nor the Paraguayan people.”

The controversy comes after Paraguay’s impressive World Cup campaign. Before its defeat to France, the South American nation captured global attention by eliminating Germany in a shock upset during the first knockout round.

The achievement sparked celebrations across Paraguay, with President Santiago Peña declaring a national holiday following the victory over Germany.

However, the fallout from Amarilla’s comments has overshadowed much of the praise for the team’s performance, prompting criticism abroad and forcing Paraguayan authorities into damage control.

France now turns its focus back to the tournament, with Mbappe and his teammates set to face Morocco in the World Cup quarterfinals on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.