French football sensation Kylian Mbappe was officially unveiled as Real Madrid's latest acquisition in a grand ceremony at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old World Cup winner joined the Spanish giants as a free agent in June, ending years of speculation about his future. Mbappe leaves Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to join a Madrid team already brimming with talent and fresh off a La Liga triumph.
Mbappe, who will don the number nine jersey for Real Madrid, was greeted by thousands of jubilant supporters at the stadium. The event was marked by a special appearance from French and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Dressed in Real Madrid's iconic white kit, Mbappe addressed the crowd, expressing his lifelong dream of playing for the club and his determination to honor its storied legacy. "Hello everyone. I will try to speak in Spanish. It is incredible to be here. I dreamt of playing for Real Madrid for years. This dream has come true today, I am a particularly happy young man," Mbappe said, as quoted by Goal.com.
He thanked club president Florentino Perez and all those who facilitated his move, emphasizing his commitment to giving his all for the club. "It has been an incredible day for me. Since I was a child, I had only one dream, and that was to be here. It means a lot to me to be here. Thanks to the Real fans who have been showering me with love for years. I have another dream now, and that is to live up to the history of this club, the best in the world. I am going to give my all for this club," Mbappe added, concluding with a rousing "Uno, dos, tres: Hala Madrid!"
Mbappe's journey to Madrid has been long anticipated. He joined PSG from AS Monaco in 2017 at the age of 19, scoring 243 goals in 290 matches for the Paris club. In the recent Ligue 1 season, he netted 27 goals and provided seven assists in 29 matches.
Despite his success at PSG, Mbappe has always been vocal about his dream to play for Real Madrid. The Spanish club made several attempts to sign him over the years, including a 220 million euro offer in 2021, which PSG declined.
Mbappe's recent performances on the international stage have also been impressive. He led France to the semifinals of the UEFA Euro competition, contributing a goal and two assists before the team was narrowly defeated by Spain.
The arrival of Mbappe marks a significant moment for Real Madrid as they continue to build a formidable squad aimed at further successes in both domestic and European competitions.