The image of Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Júnior, and Ibrahima Konaté hiding part of the slogan Todos somos caballas and quickly removing the shirt with that message before Tuesday’s match between Elche CF and Real Madrid CF has placed a campaign supporting Ceuta at the center of the debate, which in just a few days has jumped from the business world to professional football. The campaign was born within the Valencian Business Association (AVE) and caught on among several football clubs.
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What does “Todos somos caballas” mean?
“Caballas” is the popular nickname for the inhabitants of Ceuta. The campaign arose as a show of solidarity with the autonomous city after the serious migration crisis triggered at the end of July, when tens of thousands of people crossed from Morocco through the Tarajal border. The episode began on July 30, 2026, and caused a strong political, economic, and social shock in the city.
According to the promoters of the initiative, the goal is to convey to the people of Ceuta a message of support, unity, and institutional backing under the slogan: “Ceuta is not alone.”
Who is behind the campaign?
The campaign was launched on September 11 by the Valencian Business Association (AVE), which has publicly claimed the initiative. In its communications, AVE explains that it aims to show closeness to the citizens of Ceuta and its business fabric in light of the consequences derived from the migration crisis.
At the head of AVE is Vicente Boluda Fos, one of the most influential businessmen in the Valencian Community, president of Boluda Maritime Corporation, and president of the business association since 2011.
Boluda is not a figure unfamiliar with football. He was interim president of Real Madrid CF between January and May 2009 after the resignation of Ramón Calderón and later considered a candidacy to compete against Florentino Pérez for the presidency of the white club.
Which clubs have joined?
The campaign quickly found resonance in several Spanish football clubs.
The first to publicly announce its support was Villarreal CF, which communicated that it would take the field with shirts supporting Ceuta alongside Real Betis Balompié. Both clubs spread the message of solidarity with the autonomous city in the lead-up to their league match.
Additionally, Betis announced a tribute match against AD Ceuta FC, with proceeds going to Cáritas Ceuta.
Later, Elche CF and Real Madrid CF also joined, whose players — except for Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Ibrahima Konaté — appeared with the shirt before the match played this Tuesday at Martínez Valero.
Has any team refused to participate in the movement?
Although there is no official communication explaining it, FC Barcelona refused to participate in the campaign during their recent trips to stadiums in the Valencian Community, as seen at the exit of the Ciutat de València locker room tunnel: Levante players wore the shirt, but not the blaugrana.
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What happened with Vinicius, Mbappé, and Konaté?
Amid the tribute this Tuesday in the match between Elche and Real Madrid, noise arose over the refusal of three white players to participate.
Players from both teams took the field wearing white shirts with the slogan Todos somos caballas. However, Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, and Ibrahima Konaté did not display the message in the same way as their teammates: the three wore the shirt partially folded and took it off immediately after entering the field and greeting their opponents.
Although the three protagonists have not publicly explained their reasons, according to EL PAÍS, the refusal of Vini, Mbappé, or Konaté, players socially and politically significant and very sensitive to causes against racism, is understood and respected within the club as a personal decision. A Madrid source attributes the reaction of the three to personal sensitivities, which in this case do not coincide with the club’s position, which welcomed Elche’s proposal.
Precisely, this Wednesday, Alberto Ibáñez, spokesperson for Compromís in Congress, pointed out that “helping Ceuta cannot be a slogan to divide with national identity sensitivities or even to spur racism.” That seems to be the cause behind the refusal of the three Madrid players.
What criticism did Ez Abde, Moroccan Betis player, receive days ago?
The controversy had already appeared days earlier around Abdessamad Ezzalzouli “Ez Abde,” Betis winger and Moroccan international.
Abde participated in the event organized before the Villarreal and Betis match and wore the shirt along with the other players. After the images were spread, he received numerous criticisms and insults on social media from Moroccan users who interpreted the gesture as a stance against their interests.
Among the messages were accusations of “betrayal,” calls to exclude him from the Moroccan national team, and even personal threats.
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