In an interview with AS, Mbappé explained why he did not fully wear the Ceuta support shirt before the match against Elche. He stated that he supports Ceuta 100%, but does not want to prioritize one group's suffering over others.

Before the match against Elche, players wore shirts that read "Todos somos ceutíes" (We are all from Ceuta), with "ceutí" being the demonym for people from Ceuta, and below that, "Nuestra Ciudad, nuestra patria" (Our City, Our Country).

Television footage showed the 22 starting players receiving their shirts one by one in the tunnel before taking to the pitch. When it was Mbappé's, Vinícius, and Konaté's turn, all three initially looked at the shirt text with slight confusion, then only partially put on the shirts, without fully displaying the message. They were also the first players to remove the shirts afterward.

Before Mbappé's statement, the exact reasons why he, Vinícius, and Konaté did not fully participate in this activity were unknown. It was reported that the initiative to wear Ceuta support shirts was proposed by local club Elche and agreed to by Real Madrid.

Mbappé stated: "I think it's very necessary to clarify this so everyone can understand. Of course, wearing that shirt before the match was a decision by the club, and as players, we must respect it and wear it.

I want to say first that I have deep sympathy and support for the people of Ceuta and all the victims. Because before being a player, I am first and foremost a human being. But at the same time, I also want to express my concern for all the migrants who have lost their lives, whose situations are also extremely difficult.

So my position at that moment was not easy—even difficult—because people could ultimately misunderstand and think I was against the people of Ceuta, but that is absolutely not the case. I have no prejudice against them, and my heart is 100% with them, fully supporting them.

But I also want to care about all people who are suffering. Because ultimately, I am a human being, and I don't want to prioritize one group's suffering over another's, you understand?

It breaks my heart to see so many people suffering in the world. I am just a young person hoping that the world we live in can improve. I always strive to convey positive and peaceful messages, and I hope this situation can be resolved properly as soon as possible."

News Context:

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city located in North Africa, bordering Morocco, and serves as an important EU border on the African continent. From late July 2023, Ceuta experienced a severe migration crisis, with large numbers of people entering from Morocco. According to Spain's El País, it became one of the largest migration crises at the Spain-Morocco border since 2021.

As a result, actions emerged in Spanish society to show solidarity with Ceuta's local residents. This campaign was initiated by the Valencian Association of Businessmen (AVE), initially as a commercial sector show of solidarity with Ceuta, and subsequently several La Liga clubs also participated.

"Supporting Ceuta" in itself does not equate to opposing immigration, but because this campaign occurred following a severe migration crisis and Ceuta is located on the Spain-Morocco border, the campaign can easily be imbued with political and social meanings.

Therefore, different players' understanding of "wearing this shirt" may not be entirely the same. El País noted that this movement already carries clear political and symbolic significance.

Traducido por IA.

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