Kylian Mbappé was officially introduced as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday at the Bernabéu Stadium in front of tens of thousands of enthusiastic fans. The 25-year-old French international promised to “give everything” for the reigning LaLiga champions.
Mbappé signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid after departing Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. He underwent a medical examination on Tuesday morning and then visited Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to finalize his new deal.
Following that, he arrived at the Bernabéu where eager fans had queued for hours to witness the presentation. Mbappé later attended an extended press conference at the stadium.
“Wow. It’s incredible to be here,” Mbappé said in flawless Spanish during the presentation. “I’ve dreamt for many years about playing for Real Madrid, and today that dream comes true.”
The French captain revealed that he had been learning Spanish in anticipation of his move.
“I wasn’t the best at school, but in Spanish, I gave 100% — I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid,” he remarked at the press conference.
Real Madrid announced last month that Mbappé had agreed to join them, concluding their long pursuit after nearly signing him in 2017 and 2022.
“I want to thank the president [Florentino Pérez] first,” Mbappé said. “He believed in me from the first day. A lot of things happened, but I want to say thank you. I want to thank everyone who has worked for me to come here. I know it was hard but now I’m here, I’m a Real Madrid player.
“Since I was a kid I had one dream, to play here. Being here means a lot to me. Now I want to achieve another dream, being at the level of this club, the best in the world. I can say one thing: I’ll give everything for this club and this badge.”
The Bernabéu’s 85,000-seat capacity was expected to be full for the presentation, with tickets made available for free to club members. Although the event saw some empty seats, the excitement among attendees was palpable.
Mbappé was joined on stage by Real Madrid’s honorary president, Pirri, and club legend Zinedine Zidane, who had first invited Mbappé for a trial at Madrid in 2012.
“Congratulations for having achieved a dream,” Pérez said. “I know how excited your family is. You fell in love with Real Madrid as a boy. You were here in this stadium aged 13. I know you’ll never forget that day in December 2012 when Zidane invited you to Real Madrid City.
“Your love for Real Madrid, identifying with this badge, has given you the strength to overcome every obstacle to be here as a new Real Madrid player. Today you’re here because you wanted to be. Your will has overcome all adversity. Thank you for making an effort to wear this shirt.”
Mbappé reminisced about Zidane giving him his first Real Madrid memories and described his visit to Real Madrid City in 2009 as “crazy.”
Earlier in the day, Mbappé had his medical at Sanitas clinic in La Moraleja, a well-off Madrid suburb, just before 9 a.m. local time. Doctors examined his broken nose, an injury he sustained during France’s opening game at Euro 2024. Mbappé addressed the injury at the press conference, expressing his desire to play in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.
“We spoke this morning with the medical team, we’ll do things together, and we’ll see what we do,” he said. “I hope I’ll play the Super Cup but it depends on the boss, I have to be ready to help the team.
“It’s up to the club. They’ll give me more information in the next few days. When I come back on the date they set, I’ll be ready to help… We spoke to [fitness coach] Pintus this morning to prepare the best program possible.”
There has been no confirmation on whether his injury will require additional treatment or surgery. Real Madrid is scheduled to travel to the United States at the end of July for a preseason tour that includes matches against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
“We’ll see with the boss and the club,” Mbappé said regarding his participation in the U.S. tour. “If the club wants me to go, I’ll go; if not, I won’t. We’ll see what the club decides.”