French superstar Kylian Mbappé was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday, telling 80,000 fans at the Bernabeu that “my dream has come true”.
Kylian Mbappe debuts Real Madrid shirt
The French striker completed a medical on Tuesday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed the No. 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez. “Wow,” Mbappe said in Spanish to a roar from the packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
“For many years I have dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true. I am a happy boy. I will dedicate my life to this club,” said the 25-year-old star.
Kylian Mbappe and President Florentino Perez at the contract signing ceremony
With his parents in attendance from the crowd and former France international and club hero Zinedine Zidane in attendance, Mbappe was overcome with emotion as the crowd chanted his name. Mbappe showed his love by kissing the Real Madrid badge on the shirt of the reigning Spanish and European champions.
President Florentino Perez said: “Mbappe is a special player who has come to help us continue winning, a player who today fulfilled his lifelong dream. “Welcome to your home”.
Exciting attacking trio: Mbappe, Bellingham and Vinicius
Although Mbappe’s new team-mates began training on Monday, the striker who captained France at the EUROs will have a few more days off before the start of the season in the Spanish capital.
The unveiling of Real’s latest Galactico allowed fans to continue celebrating after Spain’s EURO 2024 triumph on Sunday. The crowd is expected to be bigger than it was 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut.
The free tickets sold out quickly with some fans reportedly trying to resell them to capitalise on the hype surrounding the arrival of arguably the world’s best striker.
At Real, Mbappé will form part of an attacking trio alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Brazilian striker Vinicius Junior under the watchful eye of veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, a prospect that has fans excited after winning their 15th Champions League in June.
Los Blancos begin their defence of their La Liga crown against Real Mallorca on the weekend of August 17-18. Mbappe’s debut may have to wait until next week when Real Madrid face newly promoted Real Valladolid.
Mbappé’s No. 9 shirt went on sale last Thursday in Real Madrid stores, featuring his image. Mbappé comes after a disappointing EURO campaign on an individual basis, where he was overshadowed by Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal as France lost to Spain in the semi-finals.
Mbappe left for free after a difficult season with PSG. The club decided not to renew his contract. The striker, who is the Paris club’s all-time leading scorer, admitted he felt “liberated, relieved” by moving to Real.
Los Blancos are hoping to offset the costs – wages of at least 15 million euros ($16.3 million) per season and signing bonuses of more than 100 million euros – through sponsorship deals, ticket sales and merchandise.
Mbappe, meanwhile, is hoping the move will finally help him win the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, two of his lifelong goals.