Mbappe addresses Ceuta shirt controversy involving Vinicius and Konate before Elche vs Real Madrid: ‘I support them 100%’

Mbappe addresses Ceuta shirt controversy involving Vinicius and Konate before Elche vs Real Madrid: ‘I support them 100%’ Kylian Mbappe has explained what happened before Real Madrid’s match against Elche , when he, Vinicius Jr. and Ibrahima Konate only partially wore a shirt supporting Ceuta. Speaking to AS , Mbappe addressed the moment for the first time and stressed that his decision was not intended as a rejection of the people of Ceuta.  Instead, he said he wanted to acknowledge the suffering of migrants who have lost their lives or continue to face difficult conditions. “I want to explain this properly so that people understand,” he began the interview. Mbappe said the initiative came from the clubs and that the players were expected to wear the shirts before the match. “It was the clubs’ decision to include the T-shirt, to wear the T-shirt. We players had to wear it. The first thing I want to say is that I stand in complete solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims.  “Because before I’m a footballer, I’m a human being. But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the migrants who have lost their lives and who are also facing harsh conditions.” Mbappe explains his position Ceuta shirts were handed out to all 22 starting players in the Elche vs Real Madrid match. (Picture credit: Real Madrid official website) The Real Madrid forward acknowledged that the situation placed him in a difficult position because his actions could have been interpreted differently. “It was not an easy position to be in; it was difficult, because ultimately people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta, but no, absolutely not.  “I have nothing against them and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering, because at the end of the day I’m human and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.  “There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.  “I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly,” he explained. What really happened? It must be noted that the shirts carried the slogan ‘We are all Caballas’, referring to the nickname for people from Ceuta, alongside the words ‘Our City, our homeland’. Television footage showed the shirts being distributed to the 22 starters in the tunnel shortly before kick-off.  When Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate received theirs, they appeared to examine the message before putting the shirts on only halfway, preventing the slogan from being clearly visible. They were also among the first players to remove them. Until Mbappe’s explanation, the reasons behind the three Real Madrid players’ actions were unclear, but that is no longer the case.