I stand in solidarity with Ceuta, migrants, says Mbappe

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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.

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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.

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

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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.”

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

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

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“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.

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“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.

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“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.”

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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