Real Madrid President Florentino Perez Visits Ceuta Amid Solidarity Tour

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez traveled to Ceuta on Friday, September 18, 2026, to attend an official event at Ceuta city hall and demonstrate solidarity with the local population amid recent regional developments. During his trip to the Spanish autonomous city, Perez was accompanied by honorary Real Madrid President Jose Martinez Pirri. Upon their arrival at the municipal headquarters, the club officials were formally welcomed by Regional President Juan Jesus Vivas.

The high-profile visit comes against the backdrop of significant migration figures in the region, following reports that more than 70,000 irregular crossings into Ceuta from Morocco took place in July. These geopolitical and social developments have brought widespread attention to the area, creating what local authorities have described as very difficult times for the community residing in the Spanish territory.

In addition to the regional situation, the club has recently navigated player controversies regarding support t-shirts. Before a La Liga match against Elche, several Real Madrid players wore specialized garments, but high-profile squad members Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, and Ibrahima Konate chose to obscure the message 'We are all mackerels' printed on the front of the t-shirts worn by the rest of their teammates.

Addressing the context of his trip, Kylian Mbappe stated on Wednesday that he did not want to prioritise the suffering of one group over another, explaining the rationale behind his decision to hide the messaging on the pre-match apparel ahead of the fixture against Elche. The gesture and subsequent remarks drew considerable public attention across Spanish football and international sports media outlets like Reuters.

Seeking to clear up any potential misunderstandings regarding the timing of his journey to the North African enclave, Florentino Perez addressed the attendees and media at city hall. "I want to emphasise, to avoid any doubts, that today’s event has been prepared over several weeks with the president of Ceuta, not due to any recent news," Perez stated firmly during the proceedings.

Concluding his official remarks at the municipal building, the Real Madrid president offered direct words of encouragement to the local population. "And I also take this opportunity to convey all our support, all our affection, and our solidarity during these very difficult times to all Ceutans. It is our wish that normality resumes as soon as possible in Ceuta," Perez added.