Real Madrid unveil Kylian Mbappe at a packed Bernabeu Stadium – I’ve dreamed of this day since I was a kid

Kylian Mbappe signed a five-year deal at Real Madrid in July after the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract; France captain’s presentation was delayed due to his country’s involvement at Euro 2024, where they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by Spain

Kylian Mbappe has been formally unveiled as a Real Madrid player at a packed Bernabeu Stadium.

The 25-year-old France skipper’s impending arrival after the expiry of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain was announced last month, and he officially became a Real player on July 1 after seven hugely-successful years at the Parc des Princes, the first of them on loan from Monaco.

He was introduced to a rapturous reception on Tuesday afternoon in Madrid following his return from Euro 2024, speaking in Spanish to the delight of the assembled crowd, which included his parents Wilfried Mbappe and Fayza Lamari, after being introduced by president Florentino Perez.

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“It’s (an) incredible day for me,” Mbappe told the crowd as reported by Spanish outlet Marca. “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.”

Mbappe, who was hugged on stage by compatriot and former Madrid head coach and player Zinedine Zidane, later posed for photographs, shook hands with fans and kicked balls into the stands amid an out-pouring of affection from the locals.

Madrid had earlier posted a photograph of the France superstar posing in front of the club’s 15 replica Champions League trophies alongside Perez as he became manager Carlo Ancelotti’s latest and much sought-after recruit.

The Spanish champions have been long-time admirers of one of world football’s most prodigious talents and made a concerted effort to sign him last summer as he prepared to enter the final year of his contract at PSG.
Despite winning six Ligue 1 titles and four French Cups during a stay which encompassed 308 appearances and 256 goals, he and PSG never got their hands on the Champions League trophy, something he will hope to be able to remedy during his time in the Spanish capital.

The view from Spain: Mbappe to Real was inevitable

Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter:

“There’s a bit of a collective sigh of relief that finally it’s over. They are finally coming together and hopefully it will be a harmonious union between Mbappe and Real Madrid.

“This saga has rumbled on for so long now that every single summer it was all about: ‘Here we go again, is this finally the summer he is going to come?’

“Everybody knew it was inevitable that Mbappe was coming to Real Madrid. It was just a matter of when.

“Real Madrid have been trying for so many years, it even began when he was 11 years old when he went to the club for a trial with the U12s side. He decided not to stay because his parents felt he was better off staying in France to grow and develop.

“In 2017, that was the real first time they came in for him when he was at Monaco. It didn’t work out as PSG came in and hijacked the deal. It’s been on and off again for the last seven years. It really is happening this time.

“But there is also a little bit of apprehension about this deal because it was such a big blow in 2022, when Real really thought he was coming, but he decided to snub them and stay in Paris.

“It left a lot of Madridistas very broken-hearted, disappointed and angry – even people at the club as well.”

“Real Madrid have been trying for so many years, it even began when he was 11 years old when he went to the club for a trial with the U12s side. He decided not to stay because his parents felt he was better off staying in France to grow and develop.

“In 2017, that was the real first time they came in for him when he was at Monaco. It didn’t work out as PSG came in and hijacked the deal. It’s been on and off again for the last seven years. It really is happening this time.

“But there is also a little bit of apprehension about this deal because it was such a big blow in 2022, when Real really thought he was coming, but he decided to snub them and stay in Paris.

“It left a lot of Madridistas very broken-hearted, disappointed and angry – even people at the club as well.”

‘Real Madrid’s dominance may not be ending soon’
Mbappe officially became a Real player on July 1
Image:
Mbappe officially became a Real player on July 1
French football journalist Jonathan Johnson speaking to Sky Sports News:

“I don’t think it gets much better for Real Madrid at this moment in time. LaLiga champions, Champions League winners for a record 15th time and now just a casual Monday flex of being able to announce the signing of Kylian Mbappe. A really big few days for the Spanish giants.

“It’s quite a terrifying prospect for the rest of Europe and clubs who want to challenge the supremacy of Los Blancos. Certainly from a French point of view, it was coming for some time. There had to be a conclusion to this saga, it had dragged on when people thought it couldn’t drag on any more.

“There was disappointment at PSG initially when Mbappe revealed he wanted to move to Real Madrid. But at the same time, there is a recognition that it was the best thing for the player, potentially for the club and even the league as well. Ligue 1 can step out of Mbappe’s shadow and strike out on its own. We will see what the next couple of years have in store.

“Mbappe, generally speaking, leaves France with doing as much as he could do in the club game. Not just at PSG, it was at Monaco where he burst onto the scene and enjoyed a good Champions League run with them. What he’s achieved for himself, at PSG, the records he’s broken, it’s difficult for anyone to live up to. There are people who see him going and give him their blessing, as well as those who are disappointed with how it ended, especially the PSG leadership.

“In terms of the name, this is up there in terms of impact alongside Zinedine Zidane, who won the Ballon d’Or before joining Real. Mbappe hasn’t done that so he’s going there to win that. While this is a free transfer, in terms of there being no direct transfer fee, there is a big financial aspect of what he will be paid. It has the potential to pay off for Real Madrid, there is plenty for him to sink his teeth into. It’s the place to be in club football right now.

“It’s very impressive what they have done this season, especially with the injuries they’ve had – Courtois, Militao, Alaba. To have those guys coming back to the squad, it will be like new signings. Arda Guler was out for a large chunk of the campaign. Then there’s Endrick on top of Mbappe, that’s six new signings.

“There is the tearful farewell of Toni Kroos, but Luka Modric is staying on so it keeps the technical brilliance and the experience in midfield. But it is frightening that Real Madrid’s dominance over the last five to ten years might not be ending. It might be warming up with the arrival of Mbappe.”

Where will Mbappe fit in the Real Madrid team?
Spanish football journalist Semra Hunter:

“Ultimately it will depend on what Carlo Ancelotti wants to do from a tactical point of view.

“Yes, there is a pecking order of sorts but of course you are going to go with the best players that you have available.

“Let’s work under the premise that Ancelotti is going to stick with a 4-4-2 next season, with Jude Bellingham at the top of the midfield diamond, though really Bellingham can do whatever he wants on the pitch.

“That means Vinicius and Mbappe can start in a two-pronged attack, like what Vinicius and Rodrygo have been doing this season.

“Vinicius has really made the left-hand side his. That is his best position. Rodrygo is more tactically flexible – he can play on the right, left or as a No 10.

“So there are lots of options. He could play 4-3-3, with Mbappe in the middle and Vinicius and Rodrygo on the wings. But that means he would have to sacrifice a midfielder and they are so stacked in that area. I don’t see that happening too often.”

When does the summer transfer window open and close?
The 2024 summer transfer window in the Premier League officially opens on Friday June 14 – the same day that Euro 2024 starts.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.