Kylian Mbappe says he is living out a dream after being unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday afternoon.
The 25-year-old France forward was unveiled to 80,000 fans at a packed out Bernabeu to sign for the Spanish Champions on Tuesday lunchtime by Fiorentino Perez and former Real Madrid player and manager, and his countryman, Zinedine Zidane.
🏠 @KMbappe is in the house! 🤩#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/deN9dq8pmc
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
After a series of video montages, posing for photographs with fans, the contents of Real Madrid’s trophy case and, of course, juggling some footballs, Mbappe told a press conference his signing had completed a lifelong dream.
“The exact moment (I decided to play for Madrid) took place when I was a kid. First it was a dream, then it become a goal.
“I knew that my destiny was to play for Real Madrid and that one day I would achieve that goal.
“Now I’m so lucky and thank God the dream came true. Now I want to make the most of the experience and enjoy it as much as I can.”
🤍💭 “I’ve slept for many years with the dream of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true.”#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/pqmAzqSfQI
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
Mbappe revealed: “Now that I’m a Real Madrid player, I have new dreams and new goals,” saying he wants to win his first Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.
Mbappe was below par by his high standards as France lost in the semi-final to eventual winners Spain.
He suffered a broken nose in their opening group match against Austria and managed to score only once, from a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Poland in their final group game.
He however said he had been cleared by club medics and was willing to join the pre-season tour of the USA, should the club want him to.
“I’m really happy and I can’t wait to play my first game,” he added. “I’m aware that I’m joining a club with an amazing history. A huge responsibility to wear the shirt but also a huge privilege.
“I have huge respect for PSG but Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. I’m so pleased to be here, and I hope to live up to everyone’s expectations, the club’s history and not disappoint.”
😄👉🛡️#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/rYvwPngWQF
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
Mbappe said he had other options on the expiry of his contract this summer: “but I always told them one thing. If I ever leave Paris, it will be because I join Real Madrid.
“I didn’t want to speculate about playing for other teams. I always had a clear idea that I wanted to play for Real Madrid and would play for Real Madrid.
“I knew (his presentation) was going to be special but it surpassed my expectations.”
Mbappe spoke in fluent Spanish at his introduction and revealed he had been learning for a long time in order to make his dream move to Madrid closer to reality.
“I knew that one day I wanted to play for Real Madrid. Obviously I knew that I needed to learn Spanish, this is very important.
“I really wanted to learn it. It helped me to improve and I also had some Spanish managers and team-mates, so I could really practice with them.
“I wasn’t afraid of making mistakes, I wanted to learn as much as possible. That’s how I learned.
“I know I still have to improve and I want to.”
Mbappe will wear the No9 shirt as Luka Modric wears 10 for Los Blancos and Mbappe said: “He is a club legend – I’m really happy wearing No9. My number is not really something I care about. I’m really honoured to be wearing it but it’s definitely not a priority for me.”
✍️ @KMbappe ✍️#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/0SFf3T8jMM
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
