France forward Kylian Mbappe revealed on Tuesday that he was so convinced he would one day play for Real Madrid that he began taking Spanish classes at school.
The French superstar was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player, addressing 80,000 fans who gathered to catch a glimpse of the new signing, reminiscent of the record numbers 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled said: “My dream has come true.”
“Since I was a child, I knew my destiny was to play for Real Madrid,” the 2018 World Cup winner said at a packed Bernabeu Stadium, filled with fans wearing replica shirts bearing his name.
“I’ve slept for many years with the dream of playing for Real Madrid, and today my dream has come true,” Mbappe told the record number of fans who had come to greet him at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Mbappe, who had completed his medical earlier that morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed the No. 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez.
Accompanied by his parents in the crowd and with former French hero of the club, Zinedine Zidane, in attendance, Mbappe was emotional as the crowd chanted his name. At one point, he even kissed the jersey of the reigning Spanish and European champions.
“My family is happy and my mum is crying,” said the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain player. “My dream is to measure up to this club, the greatest club in history. I will give my life for this club and this crest.”
“I’d like to send a message to the children,” he continued. “I was like you, I had a dream, and today I have fulfilled it. I want to give some advice: with passion, you can do anything you want. Today I’m here, and next time it could be one of you.”
The unveiling of Real’s latest Galactico allowed its fans to continue celebrating following Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph on Sunday.
“We would like to welcome an exceptional player who has come to help us continue our winning ways,” said Perez. “Welcome to your home.”
Real Madrid had courted Mbappe since his early teens. “I know you will never forget that day in December 2012 when Zinedine Zidane invited you to visit Real Madrid City and meet the players you admired so much,” Perez remarked.
Real Madrid announced in June that Mbappe was joining the La Liga side as a free agent on a five-year contract, ending a transfer saga that had lasted several years. The club had previously courted Mbappe but failed to secure his signature, with the player signing a contract extension with PSG in May 2022 after a bid from the Spanish club was rejected.
Mbappe was met on stage at the unveiling ceremony by compatriot and former Real Madrid player and manager Zinedine Zidane, who in 2012 had invited a 13-year-old Mbappe to visit the club — a visit he described as a significant moment in his life.
The forward won six Ligue 1 titles, four French cups, and became PSG’s record goal scorer with 256 goals during his seven years in Paris, but he failed to win the Champions League or the Ballon d’Or.
Mbappe reached the semifinals of the European Championship with France after breaking his nose in the first game against Austria.
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