A detailed look and analysis of the gesture made by Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé regarding the pre-match Ceuta solidarity shirts before an Elche CF fixture.
Mbappé, Vinicius and Konaté Make Headlines Over Ceuta Shirts Before Elche vs Real Madrid
Mbappé, Vinicius and Konaté attracted attention before Elche vs Real Madrid after the three players did not display the “Todos somos caballas” message in the same way as most players.
Mbappé Vinicius Ceuta Shirts: What Happened?
Mbappé Vinicius Ceuta shirts became a major talking point before Real Madrid's LaLiga match against Elche at the Martínez Valero on September 15, 2026.
Players from Elche and Real Madrid were given white pre-match shirts carrying the message “Todos somos caballas”, a phrase referring to the people of Ceuta. The initiative was presented as a show of solidarity with the Spanish autonomous city following the migration crisis there.
Most players displayed the message during the pre-match ceremony. Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konaté, however, wore or handled the shirts differently, meaning the slogan was not fully visible.
Mbappé, Vinicius and Konaté: Quick Facts
What Did the Ceuta Shirts Say?
The shirts carried the phrase “Todos somos caballas”. “Caballas” is a commonly used term for people from Ceuta.
The initiative was connected to a broader show of solidarity with Ceuta following the large-scale migration movement from Morocco into the Spanish autonomous city in late July.
According to Reuters, more than 70,000 irregular border crossings were recorded during the July episode, which placed significant pressure on the city and became a major public issue in Spain. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
What Did Mbappé and Vinicius Do With the Shirts?
Mbappé and Vinicius entered the pitch with the shirts positioned so that the main message was not fully visible. They subsequently removed the shirts before the pre-match formalities were completed.
Konaté also did not display the slogan in the same way as most of the players. Reports from Spanish media described the three players as the notable exceptions among the Real Madrid squad. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Neither Mbappé nor Vinicius publicly explained their individual actions at the time of the match, so it is important not to assume a specific personal motivation without a direct statement from the players.
Real Madrid's Position on the Ceuta Shirts
Real Madrid supported the initiative while also respecting the individual decisions of its players.
Reuters reported that the club defended its players' freedom of expression and said it respected each player's decision regarding participation in the initiative. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
This distinction is important because the club's institutional position and an individual player's decision do not necessarily have to be identical.
Why Was Ceuta at the Centre of the Story?
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco. The territory became the focus of international attention after a major migration episode in July 2026.
The football initiative followed that situation and was intended to show solidarity with Ceuta and its residents.
Real Madrid had also been connected to earlier displays supporting Ceuta. Before the club's Champions League match against Inter Milan, supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu displayed a large Ceuta-themed tribute. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Elche 2–3 Real Madrid: What Happened in the Match?
After the pre-match discussion surrounding the shirts, attention turned back to football. Real Madrid eventually defeated Elche 3–2 in a dramatic LaLiga contest.
| Team | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Elche | 2 | LaLiga |
| Real Madrid | 3 | LaLiga |
Mbappé scored for Real Madrid, while Carlos Espí provided the decisive late goal. The result gave Madrid all three points after Elche had fought back from a two-goal deficit. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Mbappé's Role in the Real Madrid Story
Kylian Mbappé remains one of Real Madrid's most important attacking players and was on the scoresheet during the 3–2 victory at Elche.
His involvement in the Ceuta shirt story therefore became a major part of the wider football discussion surrounding the match.
Vinicius Junior Also Draws Attention
Vinicius Junior also attracted attention during the pre-match ceremony after wearing the shirt without displaying the message in full before removing it.
The incident generated discussion across Spanish football coverage, but no direct explanation from Vinicius was available at the time of publication.
Mbappé Vinicius Ceuta Shirts: Key Takeaways
- Elche and Real Madrid players were given shirts carrying the “Todos somos caballas” message.
- Mbappé and Vinicius did not display the slogan in full and removed the shirts before the pre-match formalities.
- Konaté also did not display the message in the same way as most players.
- Real Madrid supported the initiative while respecting individual player decisions.
- The episode happened before a match that Real Madrid eventually won 3–2.
- The players' personal motivations should not be assumed without direct statements from them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mbappé, Vinicius and the Ceuta Shirts
Why were Mbappé and Vinicius wearing Ceuta shirts?
The shirts were part of a pre-match solidarity initiative involving Elche and Real Madrid. The message “Todos somos caballas” referred to the people of Ceuta.
Did Mbappé show the Ceuta message?
Mbappé entered the pitch with the shirt positioned so the message was not fully visible and later removed it before the pre-match formalities were completed. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Did Vinicius Junior show the Ceuta message?
Vinicius also did not display the slogan in full and removed the shirt before the pre-match ceremony was completed. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
What does “Todos somos caballas” mean?
The phrase translates approximately to “We are all Caballas,” with “Caballas” being a term used for people from Ceuta.
Did Real Madrid support the initiative?
Yes. Reporting from Reuters says Real Madrid supported the initiative while respecting the individual choices of its players. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
What was the result of Elche vs Real Madrid?
Real Madrid defeated Elche 3–2 in the LaLiga match. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
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Sources & Reporting
This article is based on current reporting about the Elche vs Real Madrid match and the pre-match Ceuta solidarity initiative.
- Reuters — reporting on Real Madrid's position and the players' individual choices.
- El País — reporting on the Ceuta shirts and the Real Madrid players involved.
- AS — reporting on the pre-match ceremony and the players' actions.
- Ceuta Deportiva — local reporting on the “Todos somos caballas” initiative.
Latest Real Madrid News and Football Updates
The Mbappé, Vinicius and Ceuta shirts story added an unusual layer to an already dramatic Real Madrid match. With Madrid taking a 3–2 victory at Elche, the football result ultimately became another important part of the night's headlines.
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