Before the match at the Estadio de la Cerámica, players from both teams wore shirts bearing the slogan “Todos con Ceuta” (Everyone with Ceuta), a term referring to the residents of Ceuta, which is under Spanish control. However, Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. raised their shirts to chest level, preventing the message from being clearly visible, before removing them entirely as they exited the tunnel onto the pitch. Their teammate Ibrahima Konaté simply carried his shirt in his hands.
In recent weeks, Spain has seen widespread support for the people of Ceuta following the illegal entry of more than 70,000 people from Morocco last July. A Real Madrid official told Reuters that the club agreed to Elche’s request to participate in the initiative by wearing the shirts, but, out of respect for diversity of opinion, allowed each player the freedom to choose whether to participate or refrain.
During its Champions League match against Inter Milan last week, Real Madrid organized a fan event in support of Ceuta, where supporters raised banners bearing the city’s flag. The Valencia Businessmen’s Association also led the shirt-wearing initiative, while Barcelona decided not to participate during its match against Levante on Sunday.
In a related development, Moroccan international Abdessamad Ezzalzouli faced abusive comments on social media for wearing the shirt before his team Real Betis’s match against Villarreal on Monday. Ezzalzouli responded with a statement affirming that he does not intend to apologize for his stance, stressing that the message was in support of a local community and a social cause, and carries no political connotations.