Real Madrid has decided to stand by Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Ibrahima Konaté, affirming its respect for each player’s right to take a personal stance regarding the Ceuta support shirt that sparked widespread debate prior to their match against Elche.
The club does not believe the trio’s actions warrant disciplinary measures or an investigation. Internal sources emphasized that players hold the personal freedom to choose whether to wear any garment, adding that the majority of the squad actively participated in the initiative.
The incident unfolded prior to kick-off at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium, where white t-shirts bearing the slogans “We Are All Ceuta” and “Our City… Our Home” were distributed in the tunnel area as part of an Elche initiative approved by Real Madrid.
Mbappé, Vinícius, and Konaté paused to read the message. Mbappé and Vinícius partially wore the shirt in a manner that concealed the logo, while Konaté held the garment without displaying it fully. All three discarded the shirts sooner than their teammates.
Addressing the controversy hours later, Mbappé stated: “I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims.”
The Real Madrid forward explained his decision not to display the message, adding: “I did not want to prioritize one suffering over another.”
“I want to deliver a message of peace, and I hope the crisis is resolved quickly,” Mbappé concluded, stressing that he also wished to acknowledge migrants who lost their lives or endure harsh living conditions.
The “We Are All Ceuta” campaign was launched by the Valencia Businessmen’s Association following the migration crisis that struck the city in late July. Several clubs subsequently joined the initiative, including Villarreal, Real Betis, Elche, and Real Madrid, whereas Barcelona previously abstained from participating during a visit to the Valencian Community.
