Mbappe Shows Support for Ceuta and Migrants

Real Madrid player Kylian Mbappe has said he fully supports Ceuta and migrants after he and two teammates partially covered a T-shirt before a match. This T-shirt had the words “Todos somos Caballas” (“We are all Caballas”), which is a nickname for the people of Ceuta.

Before Tuesday’s game against Elche, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their shirts to hide the message.

Mbappe explained his actions in a report by BBC Sport on Thursday. He said, “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 made it clear that he supports the people of Ceuta “100%” and holds no ill will toward them. He also wants to recognize the suffering of migrants.

In July, over 100 people died while trying to cross from Morocco into Ceuta, with thousands still in the area. “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.” Mbappe said his decision was tough and he wanted to send “a message of positivity and peace.”

This is not the first time Real Madrid has shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League match with Inter Milan on 8 September, fans in the south stand held up cards with the coat of arms of the autonomous city. The rest of the stadium also joined in with a round of applause.

This effort was part of a bigger show of support for Ceuta after at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most of them swam around a border fence, and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to Ceuta’s mayor.

While many returned, about 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the streets and beaches of the city, causing unrest. Locals have raised safety concerns, and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid to the migrants.

Tuesday’s pre-match action to support the region also showed different responses among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign. Barcelona did not take part, while players at other La Liga matches wore the shirts as intended.