In Ceuta, where streets and beaches filled as the enclave faced a sudden humanitarian crisis, Kylian Mbappé has explained why he only partly wore Real Madrid’s support shirt before Tuesday’s match.
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Kylian Mbappé addresses Ceuta tribute controversy
The France captain was criticised in Spain after appearing with the tribute T-shirt only half on ahead of Real Madrid’s 3-2 Liga victory over Elche on Tuesday night. Vinicius Junior and former Paris Saint-Germain defender Ibrahima Konaté made the same choice.
The shirt carried the message: “We are all Caballas”, using the nickname given to Ceuta’s residents. It had been introduced as a gesture of support for the Spanish enclave after a major influx of migrants on 30 and 31 July.
Mbappé said the decision to wear the shirt had been made by the clubs, while stressing that his action was not directed against Ceuta or its population.
“I want first of all to express my full solidarity with Ceuta and every victim,” Mbappé said. “But I also wanted to show compassion for migrants who died and for those still living in difficult conditions.
“Some may think that I am opposed to the people of Ceuta, but that is absolutely not the case. I have nothing against them and support them completely. I wanted to think about everyone who is suffering. I am human, and I do not want to rank one suffering above another.”
Spain’s government said 72,000 migrants, mainly Moroccan, entered the territory illegally during the two days at the end of July. The movement caused severe tension in an enclave with an official population of 80,000, with residents reporting fear and insecurity.
Thousands of people were forced to sleep outdoors, including on beaches and in streets, while local hospitals became overwhelmed.
SEO Title: Kylian Mbappé explains Ceuta shirt gesture after Real Madrid win
SEO Description: Kylian Mbappé has defended his decision to partly wear a Ceuta support shirt before Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Elche, saying he did not want to place one group’s suffering above another.
