Orlando Gill joins Lille and closes the Mbappé controversy from the 2026 World Cup

LOSC has recruited Paraguayan international goalkeeper Orlando Gill from San Lorenzo for approximately 4 million euros, it emerged on Wednesday. The former Argentine goalkeeper, 26, has signed a long-term contract to compete with Turk Berke Özer in the Lille goal, under new head coach Davide Ancelotti.

Orlando Gill’s name remains inseparable from a controversy that emerged during the 2026 World Cup. Following the round-of-16 victory by France over Paraguay, the goalkeeper had publicly lamented not being acknowledged by Kylian Mbappé. The incident had triggered a wave of indignation in Paraguay, amplified by racist remarks made by a deputy from the country against the Real Madrid forward.

When asked about any potential discomfort that the presence of his brother Ethan in the Lille squad might represent, Orlando Gill dismissed any tension. “I have no apprehension. When I had the opportunity to come to Lille, I thought about it, but it’s a great club with enormous players. There will be whistles, but you have to go beyond that — I’ve already experienced that during the World Cup, I learned to take it well,” he told the press.

On the substance of the controversy, the goalkeeper acknowledged a heat-of-the-moment reaction that he regrets. “I’m competitive, I don’t like to lose and sometimes you do things without thinking. Afterwards, I reflected and I apologized. I don’t have that personality, it’s all behind me,” he explained. He also wanted to clarify that the relationship with the Mbappé family poses no problem: “I’ve even spoken with his brother Ethan and we get on very well. He’s a great professional, like Kylian.”

With this signing, LOSC has secured an experienced goalkeeper at international level while integrating a sensitive off-field matter that the main person involved says he has definitively put behind him.