Florentino Perez has visited Ceuta city hall alongside the territory’s president, Juan Jesus Vivas, delivering a clear message of solidarity to the local population amidst ongoing challenges in the enclave. Addressing officials in Ceuta, the Real Madrid president addressed speculation surrounding the timing of the visit, insisting the engagement had been arranged over several weeks with Vivas rather than in response to recent developments. Perez conveyed full affection, support, and solidarity to all Ceutans during what he described as very difficult times, expressing his explicit wish that normality returns to the territory as quickly as possible.
The visit comes during a period of heightened public attention surrounding Ceuta, where Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente also recently brought the men’s World Cup trophy captured in July. De la Fuente noted his journey was made with the backing of the entire country, an act warmly welcomed by Luhay Hamido, president of Spanish second-division club AD Ceuta. Hamido stressed that high-profile gestures provide crucial strength and fuel for the community, reinforcing the territory’s identity during a period when EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner noted more than 72,000 migrants entered the enclave from Morocco at the end of July, with an estimated 12,000 remaining.
Focus within Spanish football has intensified following actions on the pitch prior to Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Elche. La Liga president Javier Tebas voiced sharp criticism against Madrid trio Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Ibrahima Konate after the players wore tribute shirts supporting Ceuta partially rolled up ahead of kickoff. Tebas stated that wearing the garment partially obscured was equivalent to not wearing it at all, clarifying that the initiative originated from entrepreneurs in the Valencia region and was approved by La Liga as a non-political gesture. Miguel Angel Montano, president of Real Madrid’s local fan club in Ceuta, admitted feeling baffled and disappointed by the decision of the players to cover up the message.
Tensions around the issue have surfaced in European competition as well. Real Madrid previously displayed support for Ceuta with a banner reading “we are all Ceutans” during their 2026-27 Champions League opener against Inter Milan. The club subsequently issued an official statement declaring it was categorically untrue that they had banned Spanish or Ceuta flags from entering the stadium, responding directly to reports following calls from fan groups for supporters to bring territorial symbols to the match. Real Madrid maintain that their formal club initiatives and executive visits reflect a long-planned commitment to standing with the region.
