Three Real Madrid players—Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Ibrahima Konate—refused to display solidarity shirts supporting Spain’s Ceuta enclave during a LaLiga match on Tuesday, rolling up or concealing the club’s pre-game message. The players’ actions followed a migrant crisis that saw 80,000 irregular crossings from Morocco into Ceuta in late July, prompting widespread political and public response in Spain.
Real Madrid’s official statement confirmed that players from both teams wore shirts bearing the slogan ‘We are all Caballas’ before the match against Elche. The phrase refers to the local term for Ceuta residents. While the majority of the squad posed in the shirts, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Konate obscured the message by rolling up their shirts or carrying them, drawing attention to their dissent.
The trio’s refusal occurred amid broader public and institutional support for Ceuta. Earlier this month, Real Madrid fans displayed a large tifo featuring Ceuta flags during a Champions League match, and LaLiga clubs have publicly backed the enclave. The Spanish government declared a state of emergency following the migrant influx, with 13,000 migrants remaining in Ceuta as of recent reports. Morocco has disputed Spain’s sovereignty over Ceuta since 1956, adding historical context to the dispute.
Morocco international Ez Abde, playing for Real Betis, also faced backlash after wearing a similar solidarity shirt before a LaLiga match. Abde, who was born in Morocco and represents the national team, issued a statement denying political intent, calling the gesture a ‘social purpose’ to support a community. LaLiga and Real Betis publicly supported Abde’s stance.
The incident at Real Madrid reflects divisions within the squad and broader debates over the political implications of sporting gestures. While the club and league framed the shirts as a show of solidarity, the three players’ actions underscored differing perspectives on the issue. No public statements have been issued by Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., or Konate regarding their refusal to display the shirts.