Real Madrid Stars Mbappe, Vinicius Jr. Decline to Display Ceuta Solidarity Message
The two forwards, along with Ibrahima Konate, deliberately hid t-shirts supporting Spain's Ceuta community amid a migrant crisis, creating division within the club.
Two of Real Madrid's most prominent stars, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr., along with teammate Ibrahima Konate, opted not to display a club-sanctioned t-shirt message supporting solidarity with the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta during a recent match. The players deliberately rolled up their shirts before their game against Elche, obscuring a slogan that read 'We are all Caballas,' intended to show support for Ceuta's residents.
The initiative was part of a league-wide effort for clubs to display messages of solidarity following a significant border crisis in Ceuta earlier in the summer. In July, an emergency was declared when thousands of migrants, predominantly young Moroccan men, arrived on Spanish shores. The journey resulted in at least 57 deaths, and Morocco has historically disputed Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta since 1956.
Despite the club's intended message, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Konate's actions drew attention and criticism from some supporters, who viewed their refusal as opposition to the stance. Images from the pre-game proceedings show Vinicius Jr. covering the slogan, with Mbappe following suit after observing his teammate. Konate was also seen with his shirt rolled up.
The incident highlights the sensitive political nature of the Ceuta crisis, which has been a prominent issue in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has stated that authorities are working to manage the situation and provide accommodation, with plans for capacity to house up to 10,000 migrants. Sanchez indicated that the majority of migrants who arrived in July have since been returned to Morocco.
While other Real Madrid players and teams across the league participated in the solidarity initiative without protest, the actions of Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Konate have sparked debate. No player has publicly explained their specific reasons for declining to display the message, but their visible dissent has drawn strong reactions online.