European Nights Dispatch: Kylian Mbappé has explained why he, Vinicius Junior and Konaté wore a pre-match solidarity shirt only partially before Real Madrid faced Elche, saying their action was not directed against Ceuta but was intended to acknowledge migrants who have died and others living in severe conditions.
Key takeaways
- Mbappé said he stands fully with Ceuta and the victims connected to the tragedy.
- The forward also wanted public recognition for migrants suffering hardship or who have lost their lives.
- Vinicius, Konaté and Mbappé obscured the wording on the shirts before removing them first.
- Elche proposed the initiative as hosts, with Real Madrid agreeing to take part.
Mbappé sets out his position
The shirts were handed to all 22 starting players in the tunnel shortly before kick-off. They carried the message “We are all caballas” — using the nickname for people from Ceuta — alongside the words “Our city, our homeland”.
Television pictures showed Mbappé, Vinicius and Konaté reading the wording with apparent surprise when the shirts reached them. The three then put them on in a way that concealed the message, before taking them off ahead of the other players.
Mbappé said the decision to stage the display had been made by the clubs and that the players were expected to wear the shirts. He stressed that his response was shaped by compassion, rather than opposition to those in Ceuta.
“I want to explain it properly so people understand,” Mbappé said. “First of all, I have complete solidarity with Ceuta and every victim. Before being a footballer, I am a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for migrants who have died and for those enduring difficult conditions.”
He acknowledged that it was a difficult stance to take, since it could be interpreted as hostility towards Ceuta. “That is absolutely not the case,” he said. “I have nothing against them and I support them completely in my thoughts. I simply wanted to think as well about everyone who suffers. I do not want to rank suffering by importance.”
A message beyond the match
For Mbappé, the moment in the tunnel was about extending empathy beyond a single cause. He said it saddened him to see suffering around the world and described himself as someone who wants a better world.
“My aim is to send a positive and peaceful message,” he added. “I hope this is resolved quickly.”
The explanation is the first account from Mbappé of why the three players did not fully join the gesture before the Elche match. The initiative had originated with Elche as the home club and had been accepted by Real Madrid.
SEO Title: Mbappé explains partial Ceuta solidarity shirt gesture before Elche match
SEO Description: Kylian Mbappé says his partial wearing of a Ceuta solidarity shirt before Real Madrid’s match at Elche was intended to recognise all victims of suffering, including migrants in harsh conditions.
