I stand in solidarity with Ceuta, migrants, says Mbappe

Real Madrid trio Vini Jr and Kylian Mbappe Photo; GETTY IMAGES

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has said he stands in full solidarity with Ceuta and with migrants after he and two teammates partially covered a pre-match T-shirt supporting the Spanish enclave.

Before Tuesday’s match at Elche, players were given T-shirts reading “Todos somos Caballas” (“We are all Caballas”), a nickname for the people of Ceuta.

Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up the shirts to obscure the message.

According to a report by BBC Sport on Thursday, Mbappe explained: “The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims. Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh conditions.”

He stressed that he supports the people of Ceuta “100%” and has nothing against them, while also wanting to acknowledge the suffering of migrants.

More than 100 people died during a large-scale crossing from Morocco into Ceuta in July, with thousands remaining in the territory.

“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.

“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.

“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”

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Mbappe described the decision as difficult and said he aimed to send “a message of positivity and peace.”

This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.

The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, after at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July.

Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.

Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest there.

Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.

Tueaday’s pre-match gesture to show support for the territory also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.

Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, though players at other La Liga fixtures wore the shirts as intended.