French superstar Kylian Mbappe has been officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player, telling 80,000 fans “my dream has come true”.
“I’ve slept for many years with the dream of playing for Real Madrid and today my dream has come true,” Mbappe told fans who gathered in record numbers to greet him at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Spain on Tuesday.
The striker, who had completed his medical earlier on Tuesday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed a No. 9 shirt by Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.
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.
The 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player said: “My family is happy and my mum is crying.
“My dream is to measure up to this club, the greatest club in history. I will give my life for this club and this crest.
Real Madrid sign Kylian Mbappe on free transfer
“I’d like to send a message to the children. I was like you, I had a dream and today I have fulfilled it. I want to give some advice and that is that with passion you can do anything you want. Today I’m here and next time it could be one of you.”
Perez welcomed Mbappe, saying: “We would like to welcome an exceptional player who has come to help us continue our winning ways. Welcome to your home.
“I know you will never forget that day in December 2012, when Zinedine Zidane invited you to visit Real Madrid City and meet the players you admired so much.”
Tens of thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the new signing, matching the record numbers 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled.
At Real, Mbappe will form part of an offensive trio alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior under the watch of veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
That prospect is already exciting fans of the club who won their 15th Champions League title in June.
Although his new teammates began training on Monday, the forward, who captained France during their unsuccessful Euros campaign, will have a few more days off before kicking off his season in the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos begin the defence of their La Liga crown with a match against Real Mallorca on the weekend of August 17-18.
Mbappe’s debut might have to wait until the following week when Real Madrid face Real Valladolid who were recently promoted from the second division.
Mbappe is hoping the move will finally see him win a Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, two of his lifelong objectives.
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