Mbappe and Vinicius Junior Refuse to Display Support for Ceuta Amid Migrant Crisis

Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior refused to display a message of support for a Spanish exclave affected by a major migration crisis.

Real Madrid’s 3-2 La Liga win at Elche on Tuesday night was preceded by both sets of players sporting T-shirts expressing solidarity with Ceuta, a Spanish territory which shares a border with Morocco in North Africa.

Mbappé, Vinícius and Ibrahima Konaté had their shirts rolled up to their chests, which obscured the slogan “Todos somos Caballas”, translated as “We are all Ceutans”.

France captain Mbappé and Vinícius, the Brazil forward, also took off the shirts before shaking hands with their opponents, who kept theirs on.

A Real Madrid official said the club accepted Elche’s request to show ​such support in solidarity and wear the shirts, but as ​an organisation they respected differing opinions and gave each player the freedom to choose whether ‌to wear the shirt.

The initiative was organised a week after scores of Real Madrid fans waved Ceutan flags at the Bernabéu during the club’s 2-1 Champions League win against Inter Milan.

Supporters also chanted: “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended.”

{snip}