“Welcome home”: Real Madrid welcomed Kylian Mbappé. The best footballer in the world was celebrated by 85,000 fans in the Bernabeu Stadium. The last time such a spectacle was seen was in 2009.
In a snow-white outfit, Real Madrid’s new superstar Kylian Mbappé kicked footballs into the packed stands at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu after a dramatic performance. In front of his mother Fayza and father Wilfried, as well as legends such as Zinédine Zidane and Raúl among the 85,000 enthusiastic fans, the captain of the French national team was welcomed into his new football living room. In the jersey of his favorite club from his youth, Mbappé didn’t just want to look like one of these “galactics”, which is why the 25-year-old also addressed a message to the children in the football temple of the Spanish Champions League winners at his official presentation.
“I used to be like you. I had a dream and today I made it come true,” said the striker, who was signed on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, in fluent Spanish. “I have only one piece of advice for you: with passion, with a dream, you can achieve anything you want. Today I am here, next time it can be one of you.”
High-gloss staging for Kylian Mbappé
For Mbappé, something like a childhood dream has come true. Real, the royal club that sees itself as such, was his favorite club when he was young. Before the glossy marketing show really got going with the protagonist’s appearance on stage, fans were shown a few films to get them in the mood. In one, the then-young Kylian could be seen with the Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, in another with Zidane.
Ronaldo and Zidane are faces of the era of the so-called Galacticos. This era began at Real in 2000, when President Florentino Pérez was already spending horrendous sums to sign a superstar every year.
“Wow, it’s incredible to be here. I’ve dreamed of playing for Real Madrid for many years. Today my dream has come true. I’m a happy boy,” said the next Galactico, Mbappé, who preferred to be seen as just one dreamer among many.
15 Champions League titles secured
The 84-time national player knows what is appropriate, even as a boy in the crowd. He kissed the crest on his jersey several times during his introduction. Not far from him on the stage were the 15 Champions League trophies that make Real such a special club. Silver jewelry as a commitment.
“I thank you for your unconditional love for Real Madrid,” said Pérez, for whom this is probably the only form of affection for his club. “Hundreds of children have come from France thanks to your charitable foundation. All of this makes us very proud. Kylian, welcome home, welcome to Real Madrid.”
Mbappé’s day in Madrid began with the medical examination. With electrodes on his bare chest, Mbappé laughed into the camera and gave the camera a thumbs up as a sign of his joy. Then, wearing a classy black suit and alongside Pérez, he signed a contract that runs until the summer of 2029. This means he is officially coach Carlo Ancelotti’s new player and Antonio Rüdiger’s teammate.
Tickets at horrendous prices on the black market
The 2018 world champion, who broke his nose at the European Championships, held up his future jersey with the number 9 on the back with the powerful official. The number had been orphaned since the departure of compatriot Karim Benzema to Saudi Arabia a year ago.
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was filled to capacity for the spectacle. Tickets were free, but prices on the black market were as high as 300 euros. The last time the stadium was completely full was in 2009, when Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced.
“The truth is that I’m very excited today,” admitted Mbappé during his stage appearance. But it didn’t really show. “I’m sure I talk a lot, but it means a lot to me to be here today,” he assured. “I’m very happy and proud to be a player for my dream club and the greatest club in the history of football.” Pérez will have liked the words.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
