Kylian Mbappe has been formally unveiled as a Real Madrid player at a packed Bernabeu Stadium.
The 25-year-old France skipper’s impending arrival after the expiry of his contract at Paris St Germain was announced last month, and he officially became a Real player on July 1 after seven hugely-successful years at the Parc des Princes, the first of them on loan from Monaco.
He was introduced to a rapturous reception on Tuesday afternoon in Madrid following his return from the Euro 2024 finals, speaking in Spanish to the delight of the assembled crowd, which included his parents Wilfried Mbappe and Fayza Lamari, after being introduced by president Florentino Perez.
“It’s (an) incredible day for me,” Mbappe told the crowd as reported by Marca. “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.”
Mbappe, who was hugged on stage by compatriot and former Madrid head coach and player Zinedine Zidane, later posed for photographs, shook hands with fans and kicked balls into the stands amid an out-pouring of affection from the locals.
Madrid had earlier posted a photograph of the France superstar posing in front of the club’s 15 replica Champions League trophies alongside Perez as he became manager Carlo Ancelotti’s latest and much sought-after recruit.
Kylian Mbappe was introduced to a rapturous reception on Tuesday afternoon in Madrid (Isabel Infantes/PA)
The Spanish champions have been long-time admirers of one of world football’s most prodigious talents and made a concerted effort to sign him last summer as he prepared to enter the final year of his contract at PSG.
Despite winning six Ligue 1 titles and four French Cups during a stay which encompassed 308 appearances and 256 goals, he and PSG never got their hands on the Champions League trophy, something he will hope to be able to remedy during his time in the Spanish capital.