Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate roll up shirts to obscure Ceuta message before Elche match

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-match T-shirts to hide a message of support for Ceuta before Real Madrid's match at Elche on Tuesday at Martinez Valero. The gesture obscured part of a slogan printed on the shirts worn onto the pitch by players from both teams.

Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar. Players from both sides entered Martinez Valero wearing white T-shirts carrying the message "Todos somos caballas" — translated as "We are all Ceutans" — along with references to the autonomous city. Most players left their shirts on fully during the pre-match formalities. The shirts formed part of a coordinated display intended to show support for the people of Ceuta.

Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate each rolled their shirts up to around chest height, obscuring some of the slogan. Mbappe and Vinicius removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on longer. Their team-mates and the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through the pre-match formalities.

Real Madrid had earlier shown public support for Ceuta before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September. Supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, and the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause. That display was reported as part of the same wider initiative of support.

The T-shirt initiative followed a major migration crisis in Ceuta after thousands of people entered from Morocco. At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July, and most swam around a border fence, according to the reporting. "At least 100 people died during the crossing," figures from Ceuta's mayor said.

Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city's streets and beaches, leading to unrest in the autonomous Spanish city in North Africa. Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants. The representatives of the players have been asked for comment.

The shirt episode occurred shortly before a dramatic match in which Real Madrid recovered from surrendering a two-goal lead to beat Elche 3-2, with Carlos Espi scoring the winner in stoppage time. Mbappe was among Madrid's scorers, and Vinicius started the game.

The victory left Real Madrid having won six out of seven matches in all competitions this season.