Mbappé Speaks Out on Ceuta Shirt Controversy
Listen to the story
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has spoken to the Spanish newspaper AS about a growing controversy over special football shirts made for Ceuta, a Spanish city. The shirts were created by a group of business people who wanted to raise support for the city.
According to the report, the project began as a way to unite people, moving from social media to the football field itself. It is connected to the owners of Valencian football clubs, who share ties with those behind the shirt initiative.
Mbappé addressed the issue directly, saying he has full solidarity with Ceuta. However, he added that he did not want to prioritise suffering, a comment that has drawn attention amid the debate around the shirts.
The remarks come as the situation has become a wider talking point in Spanish football, with reactions from fans and figures inside the sport. Some see the shirts as a positive gesture, while others have raised questions about how the campaign was handled.
In response to the growing attention, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is expected to travel to Ceuta. His visit is seen as a direct reaction to the controversy surrounding the shirts and the discussion it has caused.
The story highlights how a local initiative meant to bring people together has instead sparked debate, drawing in major figures from Spanish football, including one of its biggest stars.
Vocabulary10 words
- controversy
- a big public disagreement
- solidarity
- support and care for other people
- initiative
- a new plan to do something helpful
- social media
- online places where people share and talk
- prioritise
- to treat something as more important
- gesture
- an action that shows feeling or support
- president
- the top leader of a club or company
- forward
- a football player whose job is scoring goals
- ties
- connections or relationships between people
- campaign
- a planned effort to reach a goal
Quiz
Answer key
1. Solidarity 2. A group of business people 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has spoken to the Spanish newspaper AS about a growing _____ over special football shirts made for _____, a Spanish city.
According to the report, the project began as a way to _____ people, moving from social media to the football field itself.
Mbappé addressed the issue directly, saying he has full _____ with Ceuta. However, he added that he did not want to _____ suffering.
In response to the growing attention, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is expected to _____ to Ceuta.
The story highlights how a local initiative meant to bring people together has instead sparked _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the Ceuta shirt project caused controversy instead of only unity?
- How can football clubs balance supporting a cause with avoiding public disagreements?
- Do you think athletes like Mbappé should comment publicly on social or local issues?
- What impact might a visit from a club president have on resolving public controversies?