Kylian Mbappé was presented as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Bernabéu and promised to “give everything” for the LaLiga champions.
Mbappe, 25, has signed a five-year contract with the club after leaving Paris Saint-Germain with the option of a free transfer. The French international underwent a medical on Tuesday morning, before visiting the Valdebebas training ground to officially sign his new contract.
He then arrived at the Bernabéu, where fans had queued for hours to take their seats at the presentation, before holding a lengthy press conference at the stadium.
“Wow. It's incredible to be here,” Mbappé said in impeccable Spanish during the presentation. “I dreamed for many years of playing for Real Madrid and today that dream has come true.”
The France captain admitted at the press conference that he had been learning the language in preparation for his move.
“I wasn't the best at school, but I gave 100% in Spanish: I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid,” he said.
Madrid announced last month that Mbappe had agreed to join the club, ending their long-running pursuit of the star striker after coming close to signing him in 2017 and 2022.
“I want to thank the president [Florentino Pérez] “First of all,” Mbappé said. “He believed in me from day one. A lot of things happened, but I want to thank him. I want to thank everyone who worked so that I could come here. I know it was difficult, but now I'm here, I'm a Real Madrid player.
“Since I was little I had a dream: to play here. Being here means a lot to me… Now I want to fulfil another dream: to be at the level of this club, the best in the world. I can say one thing: I will give everything for this club and for this badge.”
The 85,000-capacity Bernabéu was expected to be packed for the unveiling, and tickets (available free to club members) had sold out, although there were a few empty seats.
Mbappé and Pérez were joined on stage by Madrid's honorary president Pirri and club legend Zinedine Zidane, who first invited Mbappé to trial at Madrid in 2012.
“Congratulations on having fulfilled a dream,” said Perez. “I know how excited your family is. You fell in love with Real Madrid when you were a child. You were here in this stadium when you were 13. I know you will never forget that day in December 2012, when Zidane invited you to Real Madrid City.
“Your love for Real Madrid, your identification with this badge, has given you the strength to overcome all obstacles and get to this point as a new Real Madrid fan. You are here today because you wanted it. Your will has overcome all adversities. Thank you for making the effort to wear this shirt.”
Mbappe said Zidane gave him his first memories of Madrid, describing his visit to Real Madrid City at the club legend's request as “crazy” as he watched the presentation of another of the team's favourite sons, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Earlier, Mbappé had arrived at the Sanitas clinic in La Moraleja, an exclusive Madrid neighborhood, for his medical check-up shortly before 9 a.m. local time.
Doctors were expected to examine the player's broken nose, which he sustained in France's opening game at Euro 2024. Mbappe addressed the injury in his press conference, saying he wants to play in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14.
“We spoke this morning with the medical team, we will do things together and see what we can do,” he said. “Hopefully I can play in the Super Cup, but it depends on the manager, I have to be ready to help the team.”
“That depends on the club. They will give me more information in the next few days. When I return on the date they set, I will prepare to help… We spoke with [fitness coach] Pintus this morning to prepare the best possible program.”
It has not been confirmed whether the injury will require further treatment or surgery. Madrid will travel to the United States at the end of July for a pre-season tour that includes games against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
“The tour of the United States, we'll see that with the manager and the club,” said Mbappé when asked if he would play in those friendlies. “If the club wants me to go, I'll go, if not, I won't. We'll see what the club wants.”
