Real Madrid players wore shirts supporting residents of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta during a league match against Elche, according to reporting by Disney Plus. However, star players Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé pulled the jerseys on only halfway down the tunnel so the messaging remained hidden from view.
The Background of the Ceuta Solidarity Campaign
The messaging on the pre-match jerseys read “We are all mackerel,” referring to the local nickname for inhabitants of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. Disney Plus reported that the demonstration aimed to show support following a summer migrant wave that brought intense protests and scrutiny to the region. According to the same reporting, the mass arrival marked the deadliest incident at a Spanish border in modern times, resulting in 89 burials on the Spanish side.
Did you know?
Ceuta has long remained a point of diplomatic tension between Spain and Morocco, as the Moroccan government does not formally recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory.
Player Resistance and Public Backlash
According to Disney Plus, high-profile athletes Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate did not fully endorse the message. They wore the garments reluctantly and concealed the text by leaving them half-on in the player tunnel. Spanish newspapers highlighted the silent protest extensively the following Wednesday morning, though the exact motivations behind the players’ actions remain unclear.
This player hesitation follows a similar incident involving Real Betis player Abdessamad Ezzalzouli. Disney Plus noted that Ezzalzouli wore the same jersey ahead of a match against Villarreal. He subsequently faced a wave of criticism from Morocco, prompting him to clarify on social media that his actions did not constitute taking a political stance against his home country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the jerseys worn by Real Madrid and Elche say?
The jerseys featured the phrase “We are all mackerel,” a localized term used to express solidarity with the residents of Ceuta.
Why did Ceuta become the focus of recent protests?
The Spanish enclave experienced a major migrant wave during the summer, which led to significant protests and the deadliest border incident in modern Spanish history, with 89 people buried on the Spanish side, according to Disney Plus reporting.
How did the star players react to the campaign?
Real Madrid players Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé, alongside Ibrahima Konate, put the shirts on only halfway in the player tunnel to prevent the text from showing.
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