Alex Trelinski
KYLIAN Mbappe said his childhood dream of joining La Liga champions Real Madrid had come true as he was unveiled on Tuesday to a packed Bernabeu Staidum.
The France forward, 25, signed a five-year-deal with the club this month after the expiry of his contract with Paris St-Germain.
His official presentation was delayed due to France’s involvement at Euro 2024, where they were knocked out at the semi-final stage by eventual tournament winners Spain.
READ MORE:
- ‘Stick to football’: Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simon slams Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe after Frenchman urged his compatriots to vote against far-right Marine Le Pen
- BREAKING: Spain through to Euro 2024 final after 2-1 win over France
But, speaking in Spanish to a crowd of over 80,000 spectators at the Bernabeu, Mbappe told them he had dreamt of the moment he could call himself a Real Madrid player.
“I spent endless nights dreaming about one day playing for Real Madrid and today I am one happy guy,” said Mbappe.
“My family are so happy here, I can see my mum crying. It’s an incredible day for me,” he added.
Mbappe, who was kitted out in the club’s new home kit, was introduced to the crowd by club president Florentino Perez.
Speaking to Mbappe before the Frenchman spoke to the crowd, Perez said:
“The love that you felt for Real Madrid, and you identifying with this club since your childhood, made it possible for you to be here and to overcome those obstacles on the way to your dream.”
Accompanied by his parents watching from the crowd and with a former French hero of the club, Zinedine Zidane, in attendance, Mbappe was emotional as the crowd chanted his name, and at one point kissed the jersey of the reigning Spanish and European champions.
For Florentino Perez, Mbappe’s arrival was a long time in the making and comes three years after Real failed with a €150 million offer for the World Cup winner.
PSG accepted a world record bid of around €260 million from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal last year, but Mbappe rejected the offer because he wanted to move to the Bernabeu.
