Mbappé arrives at Madrid: A massive crowd, but no frills, for club's next superstar

Alex Kirkland, a writer for ESPN FC, posted a blog on July 16, 2024, at 11:06 PM.

As Kylian Mbappé gazed at the enthusiastic Real Madrid supporters filling the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, a grin spread across his face. He had been patiently anticipating this moment to express his excitement.

"Wow. Being here is amazing," he exclaimed. "I have hoped for years to play for Real Madrid. Today, my dream finally becomes a reality."

The tale has been widely circulated: Mbappé has been a fan of Real Madrid since childhood, had trials with the club, came close to joining them in 2017 and 2022. Finally, Mbappé has made it official, signing a five-year contract on Tuesday after departing Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer at the end of the 2023-24 season.

It was a big moment as fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Kylian Mbappé at Real Madrid. The stadium was packed with supporters who made it feel like a LaLiga match day even in the off-season. Vendors were prepared with a variety of Mbappé merchandise including shirts, scarves, and facemasks. The new club shop at the Bernabeu was transformed into a Mbappé store with his face prominently displayed on screens and his shirts filling the shelves.

Supporters had waited in line for hours under the hot sun in Madrid, with temperatures reaching almost 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), eagerly anticipating the opening of the stadium gates before the noon kickoff. All the complimentary tickets, offered to club members, had been claimed days in advance.

The Bernabeu field became a setting for the event. A large stage was set up at one end, where a goal would typically be, with a massive screen behind it showcasing Madrid's 15 European Cups. In front of the stage were seats for special guests, family, and friends, as well as Madrid's club officials, and plenty of room for photographers and TV crews. A blue pathway was created to lead Mbappé from the tunnel, across the field.

Back in 2009, a very high bar was created for player unveilings at the Bernabeu when Cristiano Ronaldo was welcomed to his new team. The famous stadium was packed with 85,000 supporters eager to see the Ballon d'Or winner, with fans overflowing from the stands onto the field.

An employee at the club told ESPN that they had never witnessed such chaos before that day. It was said to be the largest event of its kind, surpassing Diego Maradona's introduction at Napoli in 1984. Legends Alfredo di Stefano and Portugal's Eusebio were present for Ronaldo, and even the player himself seemed impressed.

Will Mbappé's arrival, which has been eagerly anticipated for so long, meet our high expectations?

Initially, the number of people attending on Tuesday was not as high as when Ronaldo was present. There were empty sections at both ends of the stadium, behind the goals, and no large groups of people on the field. It is estimated that at least 70,000 fans were in attendance, although the club claims the number is closer to 80,000. Nevertheless, those who did show up made their presence known.

The crowd got really loud when they saw Mbappé on the big screens at the Bernabeu, walking into the stadium. They cheered again when he was shown getting ready in his new number nine shirt. And then there was even more excitement when Florentino Perez, the president who brought Mbappé to the club, made an appearance. He sat in the front row with Pirri, the club's honorary president, and a surprise guest: Zinedine Zidane, Mbappé's idol and mentor.

The audience enjoyed watching videos of Madrid's top Champions League moments, with the biggest applause going to Zidane's 2002 goal against Bayer Leverkusen. They were then treated to a montage of Mbappé's best moments in his career so far, which included childhood photos of him wearing a Madrid jersey. Once the introductions were finished, Perez took the stage. He presented Mbappé as "the young boy who has now become a superstar."

After many attempts that didn't succeed, almost reaching the goal but ultimately turning back, it was hard to believe. Mbappé walked onto the field wearing a complete Madrid uniform, smiling and greeting the audience.

"Real Madrid captured your heart when you were young," Perez stated. "I remember the day back in December 2012, when Zinedine Zidane personally invited you to visit Real Madrid City. Your deep affection for the team has helped you conquer all challenges to reach this point. You are here by choice, driven by your love for Real Madrid. Thank you for your dedication in wearing this jersey."

The final statement made a clear reference to Mbappé's well-known battle to leave Paris Saint-Germain. Madrid's attempts to acquire him were rejected in both 2021 and 2022. Mbappé had to work hard to stay committed to his decision, resisting the urge to renew his PSG contract until 2025, and securing his ability to transfer for free this upcoming summer.

Kylian Mbappe's complete address as a new member of Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe greets a packed Santiago Bernabeu stadium as he is presented as the newest member of Real Madrid.

It was evident that this was a significant day for both Mbappé and Perez. The process of signing Mbappé was long and required a lot of patience, attention, and secrecy. When Mbappé was finally able to speak, he did so fluently in Spanish.

"I want to express my gratitude to President Perez as my first thanks," Mbappé stated. "He had faith in me right from the beginning. There were many challenges along the way, but I am grateful for his support. I also want to acknowledge all those who put in their efforts to make my journey here possible. I understand it wasn't easy, but I am thankful to be where I am now."

The fans cheered for him to "show love for the team" and Mbappé did as they asked, then stopped to take pictures and walk around the field.

"I Knew The Moment Would Come"

Even though it was a moment that could have been celebrated with music and flashy displays, the presentation for Real Madrid was simple and traditional. There were no extravagant fireworks or dramatic performances. It was a modest and somewhat old-fashioned event. Afterward, in the press room below the Bernabeu stadium, Mbappé had the chance to reflect on his journey to joining Real Madrid as he answered questions from the media for the first time.

During that situation, Mbappé's performance was outstanding, the French star displaying a remarkable display of charm and charisma. It is evident that he has been getting ready for this moment for a considerable amount of time.

During a 40-minute press conference, he easily answered most questions in Spanish without needing to rely on the interpreter. He only spoke in French when questioned by journalists from Paris who had come to report on his arrival, which impressed the media in Madrid.

"It was like a dream," Mbappé said again, when he was asked when he made the decision to join Madrid. "After that, it became a goal. I was very close to signing with Real Madrid two years ago, and even three years ago. It's just part of a footballer's journey."

He shared that one of his first memories of Madrid was watching Zidane, who was the person who invited him to try out for the club. This could be seen as the initial move that eventually brought him to where he is now.

Mbappé shared that he closely followed every game when Cristiano Ronaldo joined the team. He fondly recalled watching Cristiano's presentation in 2009 with his family. Just like any young child, Mbappé admitted that he dreamt of becoming like Cristiano someday.

Even though he was unsuccessful in making transfers in 2021 and 2022, he remained confident. Mbappé expressed his certainty, stating, "I always believed the moment would come." He explained that Real Madrid was the only team he considered for his next move, despite receiving offers from many other clubs. Mbappé had always maintained that his departure from Paris would lead him to Real Madrid.

When questioned, he didn't give many details. Mbappé didn't want to talk about his struggle to leave PSG, or confirm if he would need surgery for his broken nose from Euro 2024 with France, or explain how he will be included in Madrid's attack with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo.

Prior to his speech, Mbappé visited the training facility after his morning check-up. He chatted with coach Carlo Ancelotti and a few players who were already training for the upcoming U.S. tour. "I'll play wherever the boss wants me to," Mbappé mentioned. "I am able to play in any of the three attacking positions. The key is to be in good physical and mental shape to support the team."

"For me, there is no discussion. I want to be out on the field, but the position I will be in... it doesn't matter to me."

After seeing Mbappé in a Real Madrid jersey, fans are eager for more, but he is unsure when he will be able to play due to his broken nose and the need to rest after a busy season. "I talked to the medical team this morning," he said. "We will wait and see what happens. I am hoping to play in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta on August 14... As for the U.S. tour, we will have to wait and see. If the club wants me to go, I will go."

When the much-anticipated first appearance finally happens, it marks the start of a fresh era for Real Madrid. As the current champions of both Spain and Europe, the team now has a new standout player to lead them. Tuesday's match was just the start of something special.