Mbappe, Vinicius, and Konate Modify Ceuta Support Message Before Real Madrid's Match

As players from both teams took to the pitch at Elche's Martinez Valero stadium, they wore white T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Todos somos caballas," meaning "We are all Ceutans," along with references to the city. While most players displayed the shirts fully, Mbappe, Vinicius, and Konate had theirs rolled up to chest height, obscuring part of the slogan. Mbappe and Vinicius later removed their shirts entirely before the pre-match handshake, while Konate retained his T-shirt for a longer duration. Teammates and Elche players continued wearing the shirts throughout the pre-match formalities.

This instance marks the second occasion Real Madrid has publicly supported Ceuta. During a Champions League match against Inter Milan on September 8, supporters in the stadium showcased cards featuring Ceuta's coat of arms, with a round of applause from the rest of the crowd as part of a broader campaign in support of the city, which has faced a significant migration crisis. On July 30 and 31, at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, many swimming around a border fence, and at least 100 individuals lost their lives during the attempt, according to the city's mayor. While the majority returned, about 5,000 migrants continue to live in makeshift camps or on the streets, causing unrest within the city as local residents express safety concerns.

The representatives for the players have been asked for comment regarding the pre-match gesture. Coincidentally, Real Madrid went on to win the match 3-2 against Elche after trailing by two goals, with Carlos Espi scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time. Notably, Mbappe was among the scorers for Madrid, and Vinicius started the match. The pre-game actions highlighted varying levels of participation in the Ceuta campaign, as Barcelona did not join the effort while players from other La Liga fixtures adhered to wearing the support shirts as intended.