Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate really stirred things up this week, rolling their pre-game T-shirts way up and obscuring a message of support for the people of Ceuta right before Real Madrid’s match at Elche on Tuesday. This wasn’t some minor wardrobe malfunction; it instantly sparked criticism from none other than La Liga president Javier Tebas.
The “Todos Somos Caballas” Controversy
Players from both Real Madrid and Elche walked onto the pitch at Martinez Valero wearing white T-shirts. The message on them was clear: “Todos somos caballas,” which translates to “We are all Ceutans,” alongside references to the Spanish autonomous city. Ceuta, nestled on the North African coast bordering Morocco, is separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. While most players wore the shirts exactly as intended, fully displaying the slogan, Mbappe, Vinicius, and Konate had theirs rolled up to around chest height. That move definitely obscured parts of the message. Mbappe and Vinicius then took their shirts off completely before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on a bit longer. Meanwhile, their teammates and all the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through all the pre-match formalities.
La Liga President Fumes as Crisis Deepens
La Liga president Javier Tebas did not hold back, telling reporters that seeing the trio “decide not to wear it – putting it half on is the same as not wearing it… bad, bad.” Tebas confirmed the initiative, which came from entrepreneurs in the Valencia region, had been approved by La Liga and was “not a political act of any type.” This isn’t even Real Madrid’s first show of support for Ceuta. Back on September 8, before their Champions League clash with Inter Milan, fans in the south stand at the Santiago Bernabeu displayed cards featuring Ceuta’s coat of arms, with the entire stadium joining in with applause.
The wider support for Ceuta follows a huge migration crisis. In late July, on the 30th and 31st, an astonishing 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish territory. Most swam around a border fence, and at least 100 people tragically died during the crossing. While most have returned, as many as 5,000 migrants are still there, living in makeshift camps or sleeping on the streets and beaches. This has led to serious unrest, with locals expressing safety concerns, destroying shelters, and even blocking aid from reaching the migrants. Representatives for the players have been asked for comment on the incident.
On the Pitch, Real Madrid Keeps Rolling
This whole pre-match drama went down just before a wild night for Real Madrid on the pitch. They ended up beating Elche 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a two-goal lead. Carlos Espi netted the winner in stoppage time, what a finish! Mbappe was one of Madrid’s scorers in that game, and Vinicius started. This incident really highlights the different approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign. Barcelona, for instance, didn’t even take part in the initiative, while other La Liga teams wore the shirts exactly as intended.
With Real Madrid owning an impressive six out of seven wins across all competitions this season, all eyes are on how this off-field controversy plays out. You know La Liga isn’t letting this one just fade away. This team just keeps giving us reasons to watch, both on and off the pitch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply