Kylian Mbappe’s unveiling at the Santiago Bernabeu was a grand spectacle, drawing an expected attendance of 85,000 eager fans. The French superstar, freshly crowned after Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, marked his debut appearance before the Real Madrid faithful, surpassing the record set by Cristiano Ronaldo fifteen years ago.
Despite the tickets being free, they were swiftly claimed, with reports of some fans attempting to resell them due to the immense hype surrounding Mbappe’s arrival. The day began with Mbappe signing his new five-season contract alongside Real president Florentino Perez, followed by his entrance into the stadium at midday (11:00 BST) to greet the jubilant supporters. A press conference followed shortly thereafter.
Mbappe, who captained France during the Euros, will enjoy a few additional days off before commencing his season in Madrid. Club doctors will also examine his nose, broken during France’s group stage match against Austria on June 18th, despite their later elimination by Spain in the semi-finals.
For Mbappe and Real Madrid, this moment marks the culmination of a long-anticipated union. The 25-year-old, long an admirer of Los Blancos and of Ronaldo, will wear the coveted number nine shirt, already available in Real’s stores adorned with his image.
Reflecting on his move from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has expressed relief and excitement, looking forward to new challenges and dreams of winning the Champions League and Ballon d’Or with Real Madrid. He joins a dynamic offensive trio alongside Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior under the guidance of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, generating immense excitement among the club’s supporters, who recently celebrated their 15th Champions League title.
Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign kicks off with a match against Real Mallorca on the weekend of August 17th-18th, though Mbappe’s debut may be deferred until the following week against Real Valladolid.
Financially, Mbappe’s acquisition involves significant costs, including a salary of 15 million euros per season and a signing bonus exceeding 100 million euros, which Real hopes to offset through sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise.
In his own words, Mbappe shared, “It’s an immense pleasure and a dream come true. This is the club I’ve always dreamed of being at. I’m going there with a lot of excitement and a lot of humility.”
Overall, Mbappe’s arrival signals a new era at Real Madrid, blending star power with sporting ambition as they pursue further glory on both domestic and European fronts.
Source: ghmediahub
