Mbappé explains decision to partially hide Ceuta solidarity shirt

12:12

By: Azzat Manal

Mbappé explains decision to partially hide Ceuta solidarity shirt

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has explained why he chose to partially cover a shirt carrying a message of support for the people of Ceuta before Tuesday’s La Liga match against Elche, saying his intention was to draw attention to migrants who had also lost their lives or were facing difficult conditions.

Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Ibrahima Konaté attracted criticism after partially rolling up the shirts before Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Elche. Other players from both teams wore the shirts openly, displaying the slogan “Todos somos caballas,” a phrase referring to residents of Ceuta. The initiative was presented as a gesture of support for the Spanish autonomous city amid a recent migration crisis.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Mbappé said he had “complete solidarity” with Ceuta and the victims affected by the crisis. At the same time, he explained that he wanted his gesture to acknowledge migrants who had died or were experiencing difficult circumstances. He said his intention was to convey a message of peace rather than reject or disrespect the people of Ceuta.

The controversy emerged after tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco on July 30 and 31. Most subsequently returned to Morocco, while several thousand remained in the city, creating significant humanitarian and logistical pressure. The episode has also added to existing political sensitivities surrounding Ceuta, which Morocco does not recognise as Spanish territory.

Mbappé stressed that his decision should not be interpreted as opposition to Ceuta’s population. Instead, he said he wanted to avoid appearing to prioritise one group’s suffering over another. His comments came after La Liga president Javier Tebas publicly criticised the three Real Madrid players for not wearing the shirt in full. Tebas argued that partially wearing the shirt amounted to effectively not wearing it.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, defended its players’ freedom to decide how they responded to the initiative while also expressing support for the solidarity campaign. The club said the shirts had been intended to show support for Ceuta and maintained that individual players should be free to make their own choices.

The campaign itself was initiated by business representatives from Spain’s Valencia region and was approved for use around the matches, although Tebas said it was not organised by La Liga and described it as non-political. The initiative has nevertheless generated debate because of the wider political and migration tensions surrounding Ceuta.

The controversy has also involved Moroccan international Abde Ezzalzouli of Real Betis. After wearing the same shirt before his team’s match against Villarreal, Ezzalzouli faced criticism on social media. He later said the gesture was intended as social support for people in Ceuta regardless of nationality and insisted that it was not intended to disrespect Morocco or carry a political message.

Other Spanish clubs have also participated in the initiative. Villarreal and Real Betis wore the shirts before their meeting, while Levante used them ahead of its match against Barcelona. Barcelona, however, chose not to participate in the campaign.

The episode has placed several high-profile footballers at the centre of a sensitive discussion involving sport, migration and the contested political status of Ceuta. Mbappé’s explanation has clarified his stated motivation, while the broader debate over the role of footballers in solidarity campaigns continues in Spain.