Kylian Mbappé: fourth time lucky for Real Madrid new boy

Forget three. Today we will learn that four is the magic number, at least for Kylian Mbappé. Now 25 years old, the Frenchman will receive a thunderous ovation when he steps onto the pitch to warm up at the Santiago Bernabéu for the first time. This will be followed by another round of applause when his name is announced over the stadium speakers. He had already been welcomed warmly, when he faced Real Madrid with PSG in the Champions League, but now he will be cheered as a player of Los Blancos by a fanbase that has waited seven years for this moment.

Mbappé's previous Bernabéu experiences

The supporters began to forgive him the very day of his presentation, on July 16, when he delivered a speech remarkably similar to the one Cristiano Ronaldo gave on July 6, 2009, when the Portuguese star was introduced. However, there were many doubts before this moment as few had forgotten how Mbappé turned down Madrid in 2022 to renew his contract with the Parisian club. That didn’t go down well.

With his former team, PSG, Kylian played three Champions League matches at his new home, each with different feelings. In the first one, in February 2018, the French forward showcased his talent to a Madrid fanbase that still remembered his preference for signing with PSG and his stellar performance that season, which culminated in winning the World Cup in Russia, where he played a crucial role for the French national team.

The second visit took place in November 2019, and by then, the expectations surrounding Mbappé were deserving of every kind of praise. The Bernabéu faithful had already embraced him as one of their own, eagerly awaiting his arrival as if he were a second messiah, someone who could help them forget the departure of Ronaldo just months earlier. With more applause than jeers, the Bernabéu witnessed how Mbappé single-handedly carried the Parisian team on his shoulders, turning a 2-0 deficit into a draw within just a couple of minutes.

Mbappé to earn forgiveness from Madrid fans

The third and most recent visit occurred in March 2022. This was just months before his anticipated arrival at Madrid, which everyone, including the club, believed was a done deal. Mbappé was in regular contact with the club president through weekly video calls. However, just a week before Madrid’s triumph in the Champions League, which took place in his native Paris, he decided to renew his contract with PSG. He was received at the Bernabéu with great fanfare, and he revelled in the moment, delivering a masterclass of what he could be in that Madrid team, with Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro controlling the midfield, Vinicius tearing down the left wing, and Benzema as the formidable goal hunter.

Mbappé scored a stunning goal, showcasing his speed and finishing ability. Earlier, he had left another mark with a brilliant dribble past Courtois in a display of pure skill. But despite his brilliance, it was Casemiro and Benzema who ultimately eliminated PSG, even with a lineup that included an uncharacteristically subdued Messi and Neymar alongside Mbappé. His standing among Madrid’s supporters grew with each visit to the Bernabéu, but his decision to turn down Madrid in 2022 now leaves him with the task of earning their full forgiveness on the pitch.

Against Valladolid, a third historic celebration is expected at the Bernabéu as fans eagerly await Mbappé's first LaLiga match in the iconic stadium. After the record-breaking crowd of approximately 85,000 people at his presentation in July – the second-largest turnout after Cristiano’s – tickets for the match against Valladolid were in hot demand, with the cheapest tickets priced at 95 euros (c.$106). Ticket prices for the upcoming match against Betis have also been released, with the cheapest seats going for 75 euros (c.$84), except for the away section, which costs a little less.

This reflects the growing “Mbappémania” that is sweeping through Spanish football. For Real Madrid’s first two away games, curiously against both of LaLiga’s island teams, Mallorca and Las Palmas, fans will have to pay 70 euros for a ticket. But against Valladolid, Mbappé will make his debut in the iconic white jersey at the Bernabéu. The fourth time will indeed be the charm.