“Incredible day” Kylian Mbappe was greeted to the delight of Real Madrid fans at packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Kylian Mbappe is finally putting on the Real Madrid jersey to fulfill his childhood dream in the crowd of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé finally put on a Real Madrid jersey on Tuesday, fulfilling his childhood dream in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Around 80,000 people were on attendance at Bernabeu to welcome the 25-year old France star at his official debut as the club’s new player.
After signing his contract for five years with the Spanish superstar alongside the club’s the president Florentino Perez Mbappe made his way to the stage that was set up at the Bernabeu to the roar of the Madrid supporters.
Wearing the No. nine jersey Mbappe was smiling broadly as he saluted the crowd that shouted his name. Then, he hugged Perez and the former Madrid players and coaches Zinedine Zidane the latter of whom invited Mbappe to attend his Spanish soccer club in the beginning, when it was still a young teenager.
“It’s an incredible day for me,” Mbappe said to the crowd in perfect Spanish. “Since when I was a child, I’ve dreamed of the possibility of playing in Madrid and now I’m there. It’s a huge honor for me.”
Mbappe concluded his speech by inviting the crowd to join him in shout “Hala Madrid,” similar to what his idol from childhood – as well as “now friend” — Cristiano Ronaldo did when he joined the club. Mbappe then took a kiss to the shield of the club and walked around the Bernabeu field, throwing balls to the fans who were in the stadium.
“Now I have another dream, which is to live up to the history of this club, the best club in the world,” the player said. “I’ll give my life to this club and to this shield.”
The record of 15 European Cups won by Madrid were displayed on the stage, where Mbappe was presented. The family members of his club officials, as well as his relatives and former players also sat on the stage.
“I see my family happy, I see my mother crying,” Mbappe said. Mbappe who, earlier in the day went through a physical with Madrid’s medical professionals.
“Welcome, Mbappe “Welcome, Mbappe” was projected on large video boards in the newly renovated Bernabeu that was closed to the public to allow for a midday ceremony within Bernabeu, Spanish capital.
The iconic moments from the club were also displayed while the track “Nessun Dorma” was played through the speakers. Photos of Mbappe’s career were also shown along with photographs of Mbappe wearing the Madrid uniform as a youngster and taking a picture with the former star of the club Ronaldo.
“It’s was a historic day for me and my family,” Mbappe stated at the end of his news event, posing in his suit and tie. “It was much more memorable than I thought it would be. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Real Madrid team.” honour to be an Real Madrid player.”
Perez said Mbappe’s performance was the presentation “historic act” for the club.
“Today we welcome an exceptional player who today is fulfilling his childhood dream,” Perez stated. “Today you’re here because it’s something you’ve always wanted. We thank you for making an incredible effort to be wearing this shirt.”
The children who were part of Mbappe’s foundation also were on at the event and Mbappe was determined to share a message with all children.
“With passion and a dream, you can achieve anything you want,” the man stated. “I’m the one here today, maybe next time it can be one of you.”
Mbappe was the World Cup winner with France but has not yet won the Champions League, the club competition where Madrid was dominant for the past decade.
“There’s no better place to win titles than at Real Madrid,” he added. “My priority is to get back to training and get adapted to the squad so I can help the team win.”
Mbappe attended a meeting with his coach Carlo Ancelotti and many of his new teammates prior to being introduced to fans on the Bernabeu.
He claimed that the France teammates who are part of Madrid as well as Brazil forward Vinicius Junior have been among those who tried to convince Vinicius Junior to sign with at the Spanish club.
“I’m excited to get to play with everyone,” Mbappe stated. “I’ll play wherever my coach would like him to put me in. I don’t care about place.”
Mbappe’s appearance came shortly following his participation in the 2024 European Championship, where France fell to the eventual champion Spain in the semifinals.
After several years of searching for a deal with the promising athlete, Madrid finally reached an agreement with him in June after he decided to not stay at Paris Saint-Germain and became a free agent.
Mbappe was a club soccer player just for French teams. He started his career in Monaco until he joined PSG and remaining there for the last seven seasons.
Perez has made signing Mbappe an important strategic goal for the club as the club was unable to secure him when Mbappe visited the club’s facilities as a teenager, and instead enrolled in the Monaco youth academy.
The 2021 season began and Madrid were rejected for having offered PSG an offer in the amount of 180 million euro which was the same sum PSG had paid Monaco for a teen Mbappe several years before.
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