Hatred Persists: Mbappé "Burned" in Paraguay Amidst Ongoing Outrage

In Paraguay, the outrage continues following the national team's 1-0 World Cup elimination by France, and specifically, the animosity towards Kylian Mbappé, who scored the decisive goal. The latest development sees a video circulating on social media, showing Paraguayan fans burning an effigy of the striker during a traditional festival where the most hated figure is symbolically attacked. This event took place on the streets of the capital, Asunción.

This act is part of a local tradition surrounding the San Juan Ara festival, according to information published by the newspaper "Última Hora." The custom dictates burning an effigy of the most disliked person as a form of collective retribution. While in the past Paraguayans regularly targeted corrupt politicians when lighting the "Judas Kái" (Judas's bonfire), this time they chose Kylian Mbappé, the executioner of "La Albirroja" at the World Cup.

Although the video is now widely shared, it appears to have been filmed over the weekend, almost immediately after Paraguay's loss to Mbappé's goal. Beyond his crucial penalty, the Frenchman also incurred the wrath of South American fans due to behavior deemed arrogant and disrespectful towards several Paraguayan players, including goalkeeper Orlando Gill.

Most notably, this video of Kylian Mbappé's effigy being burned in public comes to light after the furious verbal attacks by Senator Celeste Amarilla. The 61-year-old opposition representative in Paraguay launched numerous racist and offensive slurs against the French team captain, which in turn prompted a reaction from the Paris public prosecutor's office.

Even worse, other local politicians supported the parliamentarian and criticized Kylian Mbappé with a barrage of insults and homophobic remarks. These attacks even forced the Paraguayan government to issue an apology to France and its star player.