Kylian Mbappé was introduced as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday, addressing tens of thousands of fans at the Bernabéu and promising to “give everything” for the LaLiga champions.
The 25-year-old Mbappé inked a five-year contract with the club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Following a medical examination on Tuesday morning, he visited Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to officially sign his new deal.
Mbappé arrived later at the Bernabéu, where eager fans had queued for hours to witness the presentation, before holding an extended news conference at the stadium.
“It’s incredible to be here,” Mbappé remarked in flawless Spanish during the presentation. “For many years, I dreamt of playing for Real Madrid, and today, that dream comes true.”
The French captain admitted he had been learning Spanish in anticipation of this move.
“I wasn’t the best at school, but in Spanish, I gave 100% because I dreamed of playing for Real Madrid,” he stated.
Real Madrid announced last month that Mbappé had agreed to join them, concluding their long pursuit of him after near misses in 2017 and 2022.
“I want to thank the president [Florentino Pérez] first,” Mbappé said. “He believed in me from day one. Many things happened, but I want to say thank you. I want to thank everyone who worked to bring me here. I know it was hard, but now I’m here, I’m a Real Madrid player.
“Since I was a child, 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 85,000-capacity Bernabéu was expected to be full for the presentation, with free tickets for club members having sold out, though some seats remained empty.
Mbappé and Pérez were joined on stage by Madrid’s honorary president, Pirri, and club legend Zinedine Zidane, who first invited Mbappé for a trial in 2012.
“Congratulations for achieving 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 at 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, and 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 recounted his first Madrid memories, describing his visit to Real Madrid City at Zidane’s request in 2009 as “crazy.”
Earlier, Mbappé had arrived at the Sanitas clinic in La Moraleja, an upscale Madrid suburb, for his medical just before 9 a.m. local time.
Doctors examined his broken nose, sustained during France’s opening game at Euro 2024. Addressing the injury, Mbappé expressed his hope to play in the UEFA Super Cup on Aug. 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 to 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 coming days. When I return on the date they set, I’ll be ready to help… We spoke to [fitness coach] Pintus this morning to prepare the best programme possible.”
There has been no confirmation on whether the injury will require further treatment or surgery. Madrid will travel to the United States at the end of July for a preseason tour that includes matches against AC Milan, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
“The U.S. tour, we’ll see with the boss and the club,” Mbappé said. “If the club wants me to go, I’ll go; if not, I won’t. We’ll see what the club wants.”