Galperín’s ironic post ties España’s U17 hopes to Ceuta crisis

Marco Galperín, owner of Mercado Libre, sparked controversy on X by posting a football‑related comment that linked the tense migrant situation in Ceuta to España’s under‑17 side, after a Wednesday surge of thousands of Marruecos nationals crossing the border that left 11 dead.

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city situated on the north coast of África, sharing its only land border with Marruecos. Its strategic position makes it a focal point for migration flows between the two continents.

On Wednesday, thousands of Marruecos migrants attempted to cross the fence, prompting security forces to intervene with force. The mass crossing generated widespread repression and a humanitarian crisis that dominated international headlines.

Spanish media reported that the clashes resulted in 11 fatalities. The death toll underscised the severity of the situation.

A user on X referenced an earlier Spanish post that read “Prefiero musulmanes que argentinos” and attached a video of the border rush. The user added the caption “Bueno, toma amigo, ahí te los mando, disfrutalos”, sending the footage directly to Galperín.

El posteo by Marco Galperín responded with his own post: “Va a estar picante la Sub !7 de España en el próximo Mundial juvenil”. He suggested the upcoming tournament could be heated because many youth squads, including those in the Furia format, feature players of African descent, such as Lamine Yamal whose parents were born in Marruecos and Guinea Ecuatorial. Galperin’s comment drew mixed reactions from followers.

The next U17 World Cup will be staged in Qatar from 19 November to 13 December 2026, offering a stage where the highlighted tensions may re‑emerge.