Kylian Mbappe presented in front of a packed Estadio Santiago Bernabeu: “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid”

Kylian Mbappé finally donned a Real Madrid jersey on Tuesday, fulfilling his childhood dream in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Nearly 80,000 fans were present at the Bernabeu to welcome the 25-year-old France star during his official presentation as the club’s newest player.

After signing his five-year contract with the Spanish powerhouse alongside club president Florentino Pérez, Mbappé entered the stage set up at the Bernabeu to loud cheers from the Madrid fans.

Wearing the No. 9 jersey, Mbappé smiled broadly and waved to the fans who chanted his name, then embraced Pérez and former Madrid player and coach Zinedine Zidane, who invited Mbappé to visit the Spanish club for the first time when he was just a teenager.

“It’s an incredible day for me,” Mbappé told the crowd, in Spanish. “Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I’m here. It means a lot to me.”

Mbappé’s relatives, club officials, and several former players were by the stage at the Bernabeu, which had its roof closed for the midday ceremony in the Spanish capital. Kids linked to Mbappé’s foundation were also present.

The record-15 European Cups won by Madrid were displayed on the stage where Mbappé was introduced.

The message “Welcome, Mbappé” was shown on the large video boards at the newly revamped Bernabeu. Some of the club’s most iconic moments were also shown while the song “Nessun Dorma” played on the loudspeakers. Images of Mbappé’s career were also displayed, including photos of Mbappé wearing Madrid’s uniform as a kid and posing alongside former club star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pérez called Mbappé’s presentation a “historic act” for the club.

“Today we welcome an exceptional player who is fulfilling his childhood dream,” Pérez said. “Today you are here because it’s something that you wanted. Thank you for making a great effort to be able to wear this white jersey.”

Mbappé’s presentation came after he played at the 2024 European Championship, where France lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals.

After years of trying to sign the young player, Madrid finally reached a deal with him in June when he opted not to stay with Paris Saint-Germain and became a free agent.

Mbappé had played club soccer only for French teams – first at Monaco before joining PSG and staying there for the past seven seasons.

Pérez made signing Mbappé a strategic club priority since the powerhouse failed to sign him when he visited the club’s facilities at age 14 and instead joined Monaco’s youth academy.

In 2021, Madrid was rejected after offering PSG a bid of 180 million euros, the same amount PSG paid Monaco for a teenage Mbappé years earlier.