Photo Credit: Real Madrid FC
French superstar Kylian Mbappe (25) was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player in Madrid on Tuesday. The striker, who had completed his medical earlier on Tuesday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed a No. 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez. "Wow," Mbappe said in Spanish to thousands of fans gathered at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. "For years I've dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true," said the former Paris Saint-Germain player. "I'm a happy boy. I'm going to give my life for this club."
Accompanied by his parents watching from the crowd and with a former French hero of the club, Zinedine Zidane, in attendance, Mbappe was emotional as the crowd chanted his name, and at one point kissed the jersey of the reigning Spanish and European champions. Mbappe is "an exceptional player who comes to help us continue winning, a player who today fulfils the dream of his life," said Perez. "Welcome to your home."
Although his new teammates began training on Monday, the striker, who captained France during the Euros, will have a few more days off before kicking off his season in the Spanish capital. Although his new teammates began training on Monday, the forward, who captained France during their unsuccessful Euros campaign, will have a few more days off before kicking off his season in the Spanish capital.
The unveiling of Real's latest Galactico allowed its fans to continue celebrating following Spain's Euro 2024 triumph on Sunday. The crowd was expected to be bigger than that 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled. The free tickets were snapped up rapidly with some fans reportedly trying to resell them to take advantage of the hype surrounding the arrival of arguably the world's best striker.
At Real, Mbappe will form part of an offensive trio alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior under the watch of veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. That prospect is already exciting fans of the club who won their 15th Champions League title in June.
Los Blancos begin the defence of their La Liga crown with a match against Real Mallorca on the weekend of August 17th-18th. Mbappe's debut might have to wait until the following week when Real Madrid face Real Valladolid who were recently promoted from the second division. Number nine Mbappe shirts went on sale last Thursday in Real's club shops which are covered with his image.
