After years of relentless pursuit, Real Madrid has finally secured the signature of Kylian Mbappe, one of the brightest talents in world football. The deal, which was finalized in June, saw Mbappe opt-out of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), bringing an end to months of speculation. Prior to joining Real Madrid, Mbappe exclusively played for French teams, starting his career at Monaco before spending seven seasons with PSG.
In an emotional unveiling ceremony at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Kylian Mbappe stepped out in front of approximately 80,000 adoring fans. Dressed in the famous white jersey emblazoned with the number 9, Mbappe was greeted with deafening cheers as he made his way onto the stage. He was joined by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and former club legend Zinedine Zidane, the latter of whom had invited Mbappe to visit the Spanish club for the first time when he was just a teenager.
“It’s an incredible day for me,” said Mbappe in fluent Spanish, addressing the roaring crowd. “Since I was a kid, I dreamt about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.” The crowd responded with chants of his name, their voices reverberating around the newly revamped stadium.
The ceremony was a spectacle. The roof of the Bernabeu was closed to host the midday event, adding a sense of grandeur to the proceedings. Mbappe’s relatives, club officials, and several former players shared the stage, basking in the historic moment. Children associated with Mbappe’s charitable foundation were also present, highlighting the player’s off-the-field contributions.
Adding to the ceremony’s emotional weight, the numerous trophies won by Real Madrid—amounting to a record 15 European Cups—were displayed in full glory. The large video boards featured a heartfelt message: “Welcome, Mbappe,” with iconic moments from the club’s storied history playing in the background. The classic opera piece “Nessun Dorma” provided the perfect soundtrack, further amplifying the sense of occasion.
In a touching gesture, images of a young Mbappe wearing Real Madrid’s jersey and posing alongside former club star Cristiano Ronaldo were shown. It represented the culmination of a childhood dream and a long-cherished ambition.
Perez, during his address, termed Mbappe’s presentation as a “historic act” for the club. “Today, we welcome an exceptional player who is fulfilling his childhood dream,” Perez said.
. “You are here because it’s something you always wanted. Thank you for making a great effort to wear this white jersey.”
The inclusion of Kylian Mbappe comes on the heels of France’s disappointing exit in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 against Spain. Reflecting on that setback, Mbappe is now ready to turn the page and begin a new chapter in his storied career with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s long pursuit of Mbappe has been well-documented. The club had made several attempts to bring the young sensation to Spain. In 2021, Madrid even offered PSG a staggering 180 million euros, the same amount PSG had paid Monaco for a teenage Mbappe years earlier—only to be rebuffed.
Perez had long identified Mbappe as a strategic priority. The Real Madrid president’s determination to sign the young Frenchman dates back to when Mbappe visited the club’s facilities at the tender age of 14. Instead of joining Madrid at that time, Mbappe opted to continue his development at Monaco’s youth academy.
However, persistence has paid off. Perez lauded Mbappe for the immense personal effort he put into making the move a reality. “Today you are here because it’s something that you wanted,” Perez repeated. “Thank you for making a great effort to be able to wear this white jersey.”
As Mbappe waved to the packed stadium, the crowd’s excitement and optimism for what he can bring to the team were palpable. The unveiling of Mbappe marks a new era for Real Madrid, one that fans hope will be filled with glory and silverware.
The ceremony didn’t just mark the arrival of a player; it celebrated a shared dream finally realized. For Mbappe, the thousands of fans in attendance, and the millions more watching from around the world, it was a moment brimming with promise and potential.
With this new signing, Real Madrid looks to reignite its dominance in both domestic and international competitions. The entire footballing world will keenly watch to see if this partnership lives up to its enormous expectations.
