Kylian Mbappe was grandly unveiled in front of 80,000 Real Madrid supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside their 15 Champions League trophies.
Following a statement by club president Florentino Perez, an extended montage of his highlights, and a performance by Andrea Bocelli, the French star was shining as he mentioned his wish to join the “club of his dreams.”
Mbappe, 25, will choose the number nine uniform after finishing his move from Paris Saint-Germain and completing one of the most lengthy transfer sagas in football history.
Kylian Mbappe was unveiled in front of 80,000 Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu
The French superstar beamed as he stepped out in front of an adoring and cheering crowd
He walked past Real Madrid’s 14 Champions League trophies as he took to the stage to speak
As the Bernabeu marched in front of supporters, booting footballs into the baying mob, the forward was serenaded as they blasted their famous Hala Madrid anthem. He stroked the insignia in imitation of Cristiano Ronaldo during his unveiling.
His mother cried and showed her pleasure in his choice to join the “largest club in the history of world football.”
“My family is rather happy.” I saw my mother in tears. For me, this is quite amazing. I had fantasised about this day since childhood. He said in Spanish, “I am really happy for the chance to be here today,” as the audience kept stopping him with cheers.
Mbappe had a photo with his parents – father Wilfried Mbappe and mother Fayza Lamari
Around 80,000 fans have arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu to witness his unveiling
His confirmation as a Real Madrid player ended one of football’s longest-running sagas
“I now have another dream: I want to live up to Madridistas’ expectations and the legacy of this institution. I promise to commit all of my time to the club and this emblem only.
I also want to get a point out to every youngster here right now. Once more like you were. If you have the necessary passion, your dreams will come true.
I am quite sentimental and energetic. The volume of my remarks suggests how critical my attendance today is. This is the club of my aspirations and the most important one in the annals of international football.
Then he counted to three and urged the supporters to shout “Hala Madrid!”
During his seven-year stay in the French city, Mbappe was quite successful and claimed seven Ligue 1 championships. But the Champions League has escaped him.
Having signed a five-year contract, he has agreed to a hefty wage cut. At Madrid, he is set to make a net salary of £12.8 million year, a marked drop from the £21.4 million net he made in Paris.
Mbappe will receive a substantial signing-on fee, which is estimated to be in excess of £85.6m, and will retain an 80% share of the image rights for any new commercial agreements he signs after becoming a Madrid player, despite the fact that he will not receive a basic salary. This is not like the usual 50-50 share the club usually mandates on new members.
Los Blancos recently revealed that he will wear a nine shirt for his first season with the team; Karim Benzema left this post after the 2022–23 season.
A throng of supporters greeted Mbappe outside the ground to try and get photos and autographs
Though Mbappe wore it for the most of his Paris Saint- Germain career, Vinicius Junior currently sports the No. 7 jersey at Madrid. Mbappe, meantime, was France’s tenth player at Euro 2024—a role Luka Modric has had at the Bernabeu since 2017.
France was kicked from the Euro 2024 semi-finals by Spain.
Madrid had postponed announcing their plan to formally introduce Mbappe until he had finished competing in the Euros.
President Perez greeted him with open arms.
He stated, “The love you harboured for Real Madrid and your identification with the club since childhood have enabled you to reach this point and surmount the challenges that impeded your aspirations.”
Kylian Mbappe’s dreams have come true today. Kylian, happy return home. ‘Welcome to Real Madrid’.
The forward has been associated with Real Madrid for an extended period of time and was nearly transferred to Los Blancos in the summer of 2022. However, he ultimately decided to sign a new contract with the Ligue 1 team.
However, Mbappe was at variance with the French club last summer when he declined a one-year extension to his contract, citing his dissatisfaction with the club’s direction.
Row upon row of memorabilia was on sale to commemmorate a historic day in football
He also took a photo with Zinedine Zidane, club president Florentino Perez, and honorary president and club legend Jose Martinez Pirri (right)
Mbappe’s parents, Fayza Lamari (R) and Wilfrid Mbappe (L), walked out in front of the fans
Kylian Mbappe wore the No 10 shirt for France at Euro 2024 but he will be Real Madrid’s No 9
PSG had been prepared to offer him more substantial incentives to remain on a long-term contract, as the club was in the process of recruiting additional France internationals and establishing a more cohesive relationship with its supporter base.
His decision resulted in a brief suspension from first-team training. Although he eventually returned to the starting lineup under Luis Enrique, there was persistent speculation that he would depart this summer.
Mbappe, pictured in May this year, wore the No 7 for most of his Paris Saint-Germain career
Zidane embraced Mbappe as he took to the plinth to address his new supporters
The crowd went wild as Mbappe walked around the pitch and greeted fans at the side
There was barely a moment where Mbappe, 25, was not smiling as he took in his unveiling
The new Madridista kissed his badge in front of the club’s Champions League trophies as fans cheered
President Perez was delighted to have finally brought Mbappe to Real Madrid
Los Blancos fans have been waiting years for Mbappe to sign for them and he hopes to win Europe’s top crown
Vendors made sure to capitalise on the historic occasion by selling many scarves
Supporters were delighted to take their slice of history and purchase their first Mbappe memorabilia at the club
Around 80,000 fans were present inside the stadium to welcome one of the world’s best players
The stadium was packed out and fans gave Mbappe a hearty welcome as he emerged
He counted to three and encouraged fans to chant ‘Hala Madrid’ to mark the occasion.
Mbappe’s departure was only formally announced on Friday, May 10, when he shared a sincere message with the club’s fans.
I was hoping to converse with you. He stated, “I have consistently stated that I will communicate with you when the time comes. Consequently, I would like to inform you that this will be my final year at Paris Saint-Germain.” The expedition will conclude in a few weeks, and I will not extend it.
On Sunday, I will participate in my final match at the Parc des Princes. It is a complex and emotional experience; I have had the privilege and opportunity to be a member of the largest French club, which is also one of the finest in the world. This has enabled me to arrive here and to have my first experience in a club with a high level of pressure.
‘To develop as a player, of course, by playing alongside some of the greatest champions in history; to meet a multitude of people; and to mature as a man, with all the glory and the errors I have made.