Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to visit Ceuta after shirt controversy

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will travel to Ceuta on Friday in his first prominent decision since the controversy involving the club’s support message for the city.

The incident centred on Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate, who removed their shirts during the warm-up before Real Madrid’s match against Elche at the Martinez Valero.

The shirts carried a message supporting Ceuta, but the three players concealed it before the game. Their actions prompted widespread criticism and sparked a public debate that had a significant impact on opinion surrounding the issue.

There was considerable concern within Real Madrid about how the episode would be interpreted, with questions raised over the club’s position on Ceuta. The club had backed the initiative, and later defended its players’ right to make an individual decision about it.

According to Marca, citing OK Diario, Perez will make an institutional visit to Ceuta on Friday. He will be accompanied by Emilio Butragueno, Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, and Jose Martinez Pirri, the club’s honorary president.

Pirri is a Real Madrid and Ceuta figure, having been born in the city, and remains one of the club’s most notable former players and personalities closely associated with his home city.

During the visit, Perez is expected to meet Juan Jesus Vivas, the president of Ceuta. Real Madrid hopes the meeting will provide an opportunity to express its support and solidarity with the city.

Perez’s presence in Ceuta alongside Pirri is intended to demonstrate Real Madrid’s institutional backing for the city.