Kylian Mbappe says he is living the dream after being unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday afternoon.
The French striker, 25, was unveiled to 80,000 fans at a packed Bernabeu to sign for the Spanish champions on Tuesday lunchtime by former Real Madrid player and manager Fiorentino Perez, and his countryman, Zinedine Zidane.
🏠 @KMbappe you are in the house! 🤩#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/deN9dq8pmc
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
After a series of video montages, taking photos with fans, content with Real Madrid’s trophy case, and playing football, Mbappe told a press conference that his signing fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“The exact moment (I decided to play for Madrid) happened when I was a child. First it was a dream, then it became a goal.
“I knew that my future was to play for Real Madrid and that one day I would achieve that goal.
“Now I am lucky and I thank God that this dream has come true. Now I want to make the most of the experience and enjoy it as much as possible.”
🤍💭 “I have dreamed of playing for Real Madrid for many years and today my dream has come true.”#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/pqmAzqSfQI
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
Mbappe revealed: “Now that I am a Real Madrid player, I have new dreams and new goals,” saying he wants to win his first Champions League and Ballon d’Or.
Mbappe was below his peak as France lost in the semi-finals to Spain.
He broke his nose in their first group game against Austria and managed to score just once, a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Poland in their final group game.
He said, however, that he has been cleared by the club’s doctors and is willing to join the pre-season tour in the USA, if the team wants him.
“I’m very happy and I can’t wait to play my first game,” he added. “I know I’m joining a club with an amazing history. It is a great responsibility to wear the shirt but it is also a great privilege.
“I have a lot of respect for PSG, but Real Madrid is the biggest team in the world. I’m very happy 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 CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
Mbappe said he had other options at the end of his contract this summer: “But I always told them one thing. If I ever leave Paris, it will be because I am joining 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 I will play for Real Madrid.
“I knew (his presentation) would be special, but it exceeded my expectations.”
Mbappe spoke fluent Spanish in his presentation and revealed that he has been studying for a long time 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 I had to learn Spanish, this is very important.
“I really wanted to read it. It helped me improve and I had some Spanish managers and teammates, so I could really train with them.
“I wasn’t afraid to make 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 ten for Los Blancos and Mbappe said: “He is a legend of the club – I am very happy to wear the No9. My number is not something I really care about. I am very honored to wear it but it is not my priority.”
✍️ @KMbappe ✍️#WelcomeMbappé pic.twitter.com/0SFf3T8jMM
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) July 16, 2024
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