Kylian Mbappé drew attention at Martínez Valero stadium with a gesture before kickoff. Ahead of the match against Elche, he and Konaté chose not to fully display the shirt supporting Ceuta, as did Vinícius, prompting questions about Mbappé’s motives as a Real Madrid player.
Speaking to 'AS', Mbappé said his decision was not intended as a rejection of Ceuta or its victims. He explained that he wanted to show solidarity with everyone facing hardship, including migrants who have died or live in difficult conditions. He called the situation complex and said his gesture was meant to express empathy for everyone affected, not minimize anyone’s suffering.
The Real Madrid squad had agreed to wear the Ceuta support shirt at the request of the Asociación Valenciana de Empresarios (AVE), joining Elche in a show of unity. Official Real Madrid communications said both teams took to the pitch in shirts bearing the slogan 'Todos somos caballas' as a sign of solidarity with Ceuta. But Mbappé and Konaté removed their shirts right after the pre-match handshake, as did Vinícius. Their actions set them apart from the rest of the team and prompted speculation about their reasons.
Mbappé addressed the criticism, saying he supports Ceuta and its people but did not want to rank tragedies. He described himself as someone who wants good for everyone and does not wish to put one group’s pain above another’s. He also mentioned the ongoing challenges in Ceuta since the mass entry event on July 31, pointing to the wider humanitarian context.
Independent media reports said the controversy was not about refusing to join the solidarity action, but about how the players wore the shirts. Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior either lifted theirs to cover the message or removed them quickly; Ibrahima Konaté did the same. The episode drew criticism from La Liga president Javier Tebas and prompted public debate.
The conversation then turned to the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded in Paris on October 26. Mbappé had previously sounded confident about his chances, but now played down his personal ambition, saying his performances on the pitch matter more than words. He said his basic hope is for the Ballon d'Or to return to Real Madrid, and that the award should inspire the club’s fans rather than serve as a personal prize.
Mbappé also praised Lamine Yamal, calling him a talented player with a promising future. Despite Yamal’s recent achievements in the league and at the World Cup, neither he nor Mbappé has yet won the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or, leaving this year’s award undecided.
The incident at Martínez Valero shows how quickly player gestures can become flashpoints in Spanish football, especially when they touch on sensitive social or political issues. Mbappé’s effort to balance support for Ceuta with empathy for migrants reflects the complicated expectations placed on high-profile athletes. As the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches, attention will remain on individual performance and how players like Mbappé handle the responsibilities that come with their public roles.
