Mbappé explains his partial gesture for Ceuta amid controversy
Facing the magnitude of the controversy in Spain and internationally, on Wednesday August 16, Kylian Mbappé, forward of Real Madrid, spoke to explain his choice to wear only part of the t‑shirt “Todos somos Caballas” in support of the residents of Ceuta.
Explanation of the gesture
In an interview given to the Spanish daily AS, Mbappé said: “I’m happy to explain it so that people understand. It was a decision by the clubs to put on the shirt, so we, the players, had to wear it. I have all my solidarity with Ceuta and all the victims.” He reminded that the gesture was imposed by the clubs, not an individual initiative. He added that, before being a footballer, he remains first and foremost a human being.
On July 30, more than 70 000 people illegally crossed the Spanish‑Moroccan border, triggering a strong emotion within the European community. According to the Moroccan Association of Human Rights, 141 migrants died while trying to reach Ceuta. This tragedy prompted the Spanish authorities to suspend, in the meantime, the Schengen agreement with Italy. The incident also caused significant diplomatic incidents between Spain and Morocco, heightening tensions within the European Union.
LaLiga Initiative
LaLiga approved the initiative of the Valencian Association of Entrepreneurs (AVE) which proposed that players wear the t‑shirts “Todos somos Caballas”. The aim was to show symbolic support for the residents of the enclave, while recalling solidarity with migrants. The slogan “Todos somos Caballas” translates literally as “We are all Ceutians”, highlighting the unity of the local community. The gesture, however, was criticized for not explicitly including the migrant victims.
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LaLiga president Javier Tebas expressed his displeasure, stating that “these are not personal acts where you have to express your personal opinion.” Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konaté, who also wore the t‑shirt partially, have been the subject of a torrent of criticism for more than 24 hours. The fact that they only wore the t‑shirt partially was perceived by some as a lack of solidarity with the migrant victims. To date, neither Vinicius nor Konaté have yet responded publicly.
Mbappé's Message
Mbappé insisted: “I do not want to set any priority in suffering.” He explained that he wants to convey a message of positivity and peace, while reminding that he supports the residents of Ceuta 100 percent. The candidate announced for the Ballon d’Or 2026 does not lack commitment on societal issues, stating he wants the best for the world. He concluded by affirming that, as a human being, he could not establish a hierarchy among sufferings.
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The footballer hopes that the situation will be resolved quickly and that the debate around the gesture can evolve towards a broader awareness. Discussions continue on social media, where supporters keep debating the symbolic impact of the t‑shirt. LaLiga authorities are considering strengthening awareness campaigns to avoid similar future controversies. No new developments have been announced since Mbappé’s statement.