Real Madrid officially presented Kylian Mbappe to a packed house at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, July 16. The superstar forward, who will wear the No. 9 jersey, officially signed with the club on June 3, bringing a chaotic and drawn-out transfer saga to a close.
La Liga giants Real Madrid introduced their latest addition, Kylian Mbappe, in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Tuesday, July 16. Mbappe, one of Real Madrid’s most high-profile signings, will wear jersey No.9. The forward joined the team on June 3, capping a lengthy transfer saga.
Taking the stage, the French captain gave an emotional speech, thanking Florentino Perez for making the move a reality. Mbappe confessed that playing for Real Madrid had been his greatest ambition for years and expressed pure joy that it had finally happened. His family was equally touched, with his mother moved to tears by the significance of the moment.
'I've dreamed of this day for so long, and it's finally here. I am incredibly happy—it feels unreal to be part of this club. I spent years imagining this in my sleep, and now it's my reality,' Mbappe shared. He also mentioned how touching it was to see his mother's emotion and extended his sincere thanks to Florentino Perez.
The unveiling included a special video showing a young Mbappe looking up to Zinedine Zidane, one of the most iconic figures in the club's history. Sources suggest Mbappe has signed a five-year contract with the Madrid giants, with the presentation taking place just before he departed for his Euro 2024 duties with France. Financially, the deal is said to be worth roughly 15 million euros (about 16.2 million USD) annually after taxes.
Mbappe leaves PSG as their greatest ever goalscorer, tallying 256 goals since arriving from AS Monaco in 2017. His successful tenure in France included six Ligue 1 championships, three French Cups, and two League Cups. Furthermore, he set a record by being named the Ligue 1 Player of the Year five times.
In other news, France's all-time leading scorer, Olivier Giroud, has confirmed he is stepping away from international football after Euro 2024. The 37-year-old veteran hoped to go out on a high, but France's journey ended in a heartbreaking 2-1 semi-final loss to Spain. Giroud had previously announced that the tournament would be his 'final dance' with the national team. He retires with an impressive record of 57 goals in 137 matches, ranking him as the third most-capped player in French history, behind only Hugo Lloris and Lillian Thuram.
Before the start of the competition, the seasoned striker announced that it would be his final dance in French colors. During his exceptional career, he netted 57 goals in 137 appearances. Giroud is also the country’s third most-capped player after Hugo Lloris and Lillian Thuram.