French superstar Kylian Mbappe was officially unveiled today as a Real Madrid player. The forward, who passed a medical early this morning, signed a five-year deal with the Royals and was presented with the number 9 shirt on the back by White Ballet president Florentino Perez.
"Wow," Mbappe said in Spanish to 85,000 Real fans packed into Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
"For years I dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream came true. I am one happy boy. I will give my life for this club", said the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Accompanied by his parents watching from the stands and alongside a former French player at the club in Zinedine Zidane, Mbappe was emotional as supporters chanted his name as he kissed the emblem of the reigning Spanish and European champions.
"Mbappe is an exceptional player who is coming to help us keep winning - a player who is today fulfilling the dream of his life. Welcome to your home", commented club president Perez.
Although his new team-mates at the European club champions began training on Monday, Mbappe, who captained France at Euro 2024, will get a few more days off before starting his stay in the Spanish capital.
At Real, Mbappe will form an offensive trio with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, which is already making fans endlessly excited. Los Blancos begin their La Liga title defense against Mallorca on the weekend of August 17-18. Mbappe's debut could wait until next weekend when Los Blancos play Valladolid, who won promotion to the top flight.
In Real, the French shooter will receive 15 million euros per season. Mbappe hopes that with his transfer he will finally realize two of his long-standing dreams - to win the Champions League and become the winner of the "Ballon d'Or". | BGNES
