Kylian Mbappe Unveiled at Real Madrid: “A Dream Come True”

On Tuesday morning, Real Madrid presented Kylian Mbappe to a packed Santiago Bernabeu, with an estimated 85,000 fans in attendance. The 25-year-old French forward signed a five-year contract with the club and will return at the end of the month to start training with his new team.

During the presentation, Mbappe addressed the media, expressing his excitement and gratitude.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be a Real Madrid player. This is a historic moment for me and my family, exceeding all my expectations.”

“I feel privileged. I am a Madrid player; it is my childhood dream. You can’t put a price on a dream. This is a great satisfaction for me and my family. Everything I did to get here involved going through many different stages.”

Mbappe reportedly had an agreement with Real Madrid since February, but when asked about the exact moment he decided to join, he responded:

“The exact moment… since I was a child. It was easy. It was a dream. Then it became a goal. My destiny was to play for Real Madrid.”

When questioned about his decision to turn down Real Madrid in 2022, Mbappe remained diplomatic:

“A lot of things can happen in football. The past is in the past. What I can say is that I am very happy to be here.”

One significant aspect of his previous rejection was the backlash from fans and President Florentino Perez, who famously stated it was “not his Kylian” who made that choice. Mbappe addressed whether he saw much of that criticism:

“It’s part of football. The truth is, the love from all Real Madrid fans is incredible. I haven’t played a game yet, and they show me all this love. That’s why I want to give my all for this shirt. It’s my dream, but many people have been with me from day one.”

Mbappe’s next appearance for Real Madrid remains uncertain. After completing Euro 2024 with France, he is set to go on holiday. Real Madrid will depart for their preseason tour in the USA in late July, and Mbappe said he would leave the decision to the club regarding his participation.