Real Madrid support player choice after Ceuta shirt controversy involving Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate

Real Madrid have taken no action over the decision by Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate not to fully display shirts supporting Ceuta before Tuesday’s match against Elche.

The shirts carried the slogan “We are all Caballas”, a message of support for the autonomous city of Ceuta, which experienced a significant influx of Moroccan residents at the end of July.

Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2 in a dramatic match, with Carlos Espi scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. However, attention before kick-off focused on the players’ differing approaches to the pre-match gesture.

Both teams entered the pitch wearing the shirts. Broadcast footage showed Elche players wearing them before they came out, while Real Madrid’s players were handed theirs in the tunnel leading to the pitch.

Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Konate were each given a shirt by a member of the equipment staff. Mbappe and Vinicius put theirs on but only raised them as far as their shoulders. Konate held his shirt in his hands instead.

The France striker and Brazil forward removed their shirts moments later, shortly before the team walked out.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Real Madrid do not regard the incident as significant. The club’s position is that every player has the right to wear the shirt they choose.

Real Madrid also believe that, unlike at other clubs, most of their players did wear the shirt. Regarding the three players specifically, the club insists nobody can be forced either to wear a particular shirt or to refuse to wear one.

The issue follows criticism directed at Real Betis forward Abdessamad Ezzalzouli after he wore a Ceuta support shirt before his side’s match against Villarreal on Monday.

Ezzalzouli, who is Moroccan, faced a wave of criticism and insults from several Moroccans. In a statement posted on Instagram, he said the shirt had not been used for political purposes or to show contempt for the Moroccan people.

“First of all, I would like to clarify one thing: at no point was the shirt referring to the city of Ceuta used with a political purpose or with the intention of showing contempt for the Moroccan people,” he wrote.

He added: “The shirt had a social character, as part of support for the residents and people of an area who were experiencing a difficult situation, regardless of their nationality.”

Ezzalzouli ended his statement by saying: “At the same time, this is not an apology to anyone, and anyone who wants to use this matter to question my love for my country is free to do so. As for me, I will continue to live every day with my head held high, and I will continue to represent my roots with pride and sacrifice.”