Kylian Mbappé‘s long-awaited move to Real Madrid has finally been made official. The 25-year-old French superstar was presented to a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday. Nearly 80,000 fans were on hand to welcome Mbappé, who fulfilled his childhood dream of donning the iconic white jersey of the Spanish giants.
After signing a five-year contract alongside club president Florentino Pérez, Mbappé entered the stage to thunderous applause from the Madrid faithful. Wearing the number nine shirt, the young striker smiled broadly and waved to the chanting crowd, embracing Pérez and former Madrid player and coach Zinedine Zidane, who had invited Mbappé to visit the club as a teenager.
In a heartfelt speech delivered in Spanish, Mbappé expressed his joy at joining the club he had dreamed of playing for since childhood. “It’s an incredible day for me,” he said. “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.”
Mbappé asked the crowd to join him in chanting “Hala Madrid,” a gesture reminiscent of his childhood idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. He then kissed the club’s crest and kicked balls into the stands, further endearing himself to the passionate supporters.
“Now I have another dream, which is to live up to the history of this club, the best club in the world,” Mbappé said. “I’ll give my life to this club and to this shield.”
Historic Moment for Real Madrid
The presentation ceremony was a historic moment for both Mbappé and Real Madrid. The club’s 15 European Cup trophies were on display, a testament to the storied history the young striker now hopes to contribute to.
Pérez hailed the occasion as a “historic act” for the club, thanking Mbappé for making the “great effort” to wear the iconic white jersey. The Madrid president had made signing Mbappé a strategic priority after the club failed to secure him as a teenager, when he instead joined Monaco’s youth academy.
Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid comes after seven successful seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. He met with coach Carlo Ancelotti and his new teammates before being introduced to the fans, expressing his excitement to play alongside the likes of his French compatriots and Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior.
The presentation ceremony marked the culmination of years of effort by Real Madrid to secure Mbappé’s services. After rejecting a bid of 180 million euros from the Spanish club in 2021, PSG finally agreed to let their prized asset leave on a free transfer this summer.
As Mbappé embarks on a new chapter in his career, the Santiago Bernabeu faithful will be hoping he can help write the next glorious chapter in Real Madrid’s storied history. The young striker’s arrival has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the world of football, and Madrid fans will be eagerly anticipating seeing their new hero in action on the pitch.
🏠 ¡Bienvenido a tu nueva casa, @KMbappe! 🤩#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/rFtyvX4qdo
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🏟️ Espectacular recibimiento a @KMbappe en el Santiago Bernabéu.#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/ivFzldgIAo
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