Real Madrid have defended their players’ right to hold differing views after Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr covered up a pre-match solidarity display ahead of the La Liga fixture against Elche. Both squads walked out wearing t-shirts reading “Todos somos caballas,” which translates as “We are all mackerels,” a long-standing nickname for people from Ceuta.
Mbappe and Vinicius lifted their shirts to chest height before removing them completely once the display had run its course. Ibrahima Konate took a different approach, choosing to carry his shirt in his hands rather than wear it at all. None of the three players spoke publicly about their reasons on the night.
The club’s response, delivered through official channels rather than the players themselves, treated the moment as a matter of personal choice. That stance sits at the centre of how Real Madrid have chosen to explain the images from before kickoff.
Real Madrid Statement to Reuters and Pre-Match Details
A Real Madrid representative told Reuters that the club had agreed to a request from Elche for both teams to wear the shirts before the game. The same representative added that Real Madrid respects individual opinions among its squad and gave every player complete freedom over whether to keep the shirt on, cover it, or remove it, according to a report by The Independent.
The “Todos somos caballas” initiative followed a sharp rise in irregular crossings into Ceuta from Morocco, with more than 70,000 recorded in July alone. The gesture was backed by the Valencian Business Association and adopted by clubs across La Liga as a show of support for the North African enclave.
This was not Real Madrid’s first engagement with the issue. The club previously staged a tifo depicting the Ceuta flag during a Champions League match against Inter Milan, a display that predates the current wave of crossings and suggests an existing awareness of the region within the club’s supporter culture.
Mourinho’s Squad Management and Player Actions
Jose Mourinho’s players handled the pre-match minutes without any visible disruption to the build-up, despite the mixed reactions among those wearing the shirts. Each player appeared to make an individual call in real time rather than following a coordinated squad response.
That approach mirrors a wider pattern under Mourinho this season, where senior players are given latitude on matters outside strict tactical instruction while still operating within a disciplined framework on the pitch. Similar questions about balancing personal judgement with collective structure have shaped recent debate around the club’s forward press and squad discipline.
Konate’s decision to carry rather than wear or discard his shirt offered a visible middle ground between his two teammates’ choices. Real Madrid have not suggested that any player was asked to act differently, and the club’s Reuters statement makes clear that no instruction was given either way.
Broader La Liga Context and Upcoming Timeline
Real Madrid’s response sits within a broader, uneven picture across La Liga. Barcelona chose not to wear the shirts at all ahead of their match against Levante, while other clubs opted in without the mixed on-pitch reactions seen in Madrid.
At Real Betis, winger Ez Abde faced online abuse after wearing the shirt before his side’s match against Villarreal. Abde issued a statement confirming he would not apologise for taking part in the gesture, standing in contrast to the more muted approach from Real Madrid’s dressing room.
Real Madrid have offered no further comment beyond the statement given to Reuters, and no disciplinary action against any player has been mentioned by the club. Attention now turns to how the squad approaches upcoming domestic fixtures, with Mourinho continuing to manage a group balancing individual expression with the demands of a congested La Liga schedule.
