In an interview with AS, Mbappe explained why he did not fully wear the Ceuta support jersey before the match against Elche. He stated that he is 100% behind Ceuta, but does not want to prioritize one form of suffering over another.

Before the match against Elche, the jerseys worn by players featured the text "We Are All Ceutis" (Todos somos ceutís), with "Ceutis" being the term for people from Ceuta, and below it, "Our City, Our Homeland" (Nuestra Ciudad, Nuestra Patria).

Television footage showed 22 starting players receiving their jerseys in the tunnel before walking onto the pitch. When it was Mbappe's, Vinicius, and Konate's turn, the three initially looked at the text on the jerseys with some confusion, then only partially wore them, not fully displaying the message. They were also the first to remove their jerseys afterward.

Before Mbappe's first response, the exact reason why he, Vinicius, and Konate did not fully participate in this gesture remained unclear. It was reported that the initiative to wear the Ceuta support jerseys was proposed by home team Elche and approved by Real Madrid.

Mbappe said: "I feel it is very necessary to explain this clearly so everyone can understand. Of course, wearing the pre-match jersey was a club decision, and as players, we must respect it and wear it.

I want to first state that I have deep sympathy and support for the people of Ceuta and all those affected. Because before I am a player, I am a human being. But at the same time, I also want to express my concern and care for all immigrants who have lost their lives, whose situation is equally very difficult.

So my position at that moment was not easy, even difficult, because people might ultimately misunderstand that I am against the people of Ceuta, but that is completely untrue, absolutely not. I have no prejudice against them, my heart is 100% with them, and I fully support them.

But I also want to care for all those who are suffering. Because in the end, I am flesh and blood, and I don't want to prioritize one suffering over another, you understand?

My heart breaks seeing so many people suffering in the world. I am just a young man who hopes our world can become better, and I always try to convey positive and peaceful messages, and I hope this situation can be resolved well as soon as possible."

News Background:

Ceuta is an autonomous Spanish city located in North Africa, bordering Morocco, and is an important border between Spain and the EU on the African continent. Starting in late July 2024, Ceuta experienced a severe immigration crisis, with large numbers of people entering Ceuta from Morocco. According to Spanish newspaper El País, this became one of the largest immigration crises experienced at the Spain-Morocco border since 2021.

As a result, initiatives to support the local population of Ceuta began to emerge in Spanish society. This campaign, initiated by the Valencian Business Association (AVE), was originally an act of solidarity from the business community with Ceuta, and subsequently, several La Liga clubs also participated.

The "Ceuta support" gesture itself is not the same as opposing immigration, but because this event occurred following a severe immigration crisis, and Ceuta is located at the border between Spain and Morocco, the gesture can easily take on political and social meanings.

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

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