Barcelona, Real Madrid players distance themselves from Ceuta campaign

Barcelona declined to wear “Todos somos caballas” shirts supporting Ceuta before its match against Levante, while three Real Madrid players also distanced themselves from the campaign during Tuesday’s game against Elche.

Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé and Ibrahima Konaté wore the white shirts only partially, obscuring the slogan before removing them shortly after entering the pitch. Real Madrid supported the initiative but viewed the players’ decision as a personal choice, El País reported.

The campaign, launched by the Valencian Association of Entrepreneurs after July’s migration crisis in Ceuta, has also been backed by Villarreal, Real Betis and Elche.

The players have not publicly explained their decision. The episode has since drawn political reaction in Spain, with parties disagreeing over whether the campaign represents solidarity with Ceuta or risks becoming an identity-based political message.