French captain Kylian Mbappe was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday, telling the ten thousand fans at the Bernabeu Stadium that it was a dream come true. “My dream has come true,” Mbappe said.
The striker, who had completed his medical earlier on Tuesday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed a No. 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez.
“Wow,” Mbappe said in Spanish to roars from a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
“For years I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true,” said the 25-year-old French player.
“I’m a happy boy. I’m going to give my life for this club,” said Mbappe.
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.
Mbappe is “an exceptional player who comes to help us continue winning, a player who today fulfils the dream of his life,” said Perez. “Welcome to your home.”
“Congratulations for having achieved a dream,” Pérez said. “I know how excited your family is. You fell in love with Real Madrid as a boy. You were here in this stadium aged 13. I know you’ll never forget that day in December 2012, when Zidane invited you to Real Madrid City.
“Your love for Real Madrid, identifying with this badge, has given you the strength to overcome every obstacle to be here as a new Real Madrid player. Today you’re here because you wanted to be. Your will has overcome all adversity. Thank you for making an effort to wear this shirt.”
Earlier, Mbappé had arrived at the Sanitas clinic in La Moraleja, an exclusive Madrid suburb, for his medical at just before 9 a.m. local time.
Doctors were expected to examine the player’s broken nose, which he suffered in France’s opening game at Euro 2024.
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