Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid presentation, as it happened
Mbappé official Real Madrid presentation: as it happened
Mbappé officially a Real Madrid player
Many thanks for joining us today as we saw Mbappé finally pull on the Real Madrid jersey for the first time and speak to the fans and media.
An exciting time for the club as they look to defend both their LaLiga and Champions League titles with the French striker on board.
Once Mbappé concludes his media obligations today, the striker will take a badly needed break (something he alluded to himself) after a long hard season and head of the 2024-25 campaign which promises to be equally demanding with the Fifa Club World Cup scheduled to be staged in June 2025.
The striker is expected to commence his pre-season activity with his new club in early August and everything points to his first game being the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta in Warsaw next month.
....and with that, Mbappe leaves the press room after an impressive showing with an excellent level of Spanish answering each question with little apparent difficulty and reiterating that being at the club is a dream come true.
Q: Seeing the videos today, did you feel emotional?
A: Of course, there was plenty of nostalgia in seeing that footage. It's been an incredible day and I hope the same for my family and fans of the club.
Q: I'd like your views on Endrick?
A: I know what he can do as a player but have only seen him in action with the Brazilian side. I know that if Madrid take a chance on him he'll do well despite him being a young player.
Q: Will you play on the US tour?
A: I really don't know, it doesn't depend on me so much but we'll talk to the club and the head coach and then make a decision.
Q: How did you feel this morning waking up knowing that today was the day ....
A: I really struggled to sleep last night and woke up with pressure on myself to enjoy every moment of the day. This day will live with me forever.
Q: When was that precise moment you knew you were a Real Madrid player?
A: Today it really dawned on me watching the video.
Q: How do you plan to adapt to the team, have you watched videos from last season?
A: Yes, I've watched games from last season and I already know the players but not how the work on the pitch
Q: Where did you learn to speak Spanish so well?
A: At school, I was far from the best in class and I need to pick up more coloquial terms ... I also had the likes of Luis Enrique and Pochettino as head coaches and that helped too.
Q: What did Zidane tell you back in 2012?
A: It was incredible meeting him then as he was a hero for all French kids. With hard work and keeping dreams alive we can all achieve great things.
Q: You've won so much with PSG and the French national team, do you feel that being at Madrid you could win the Ballon d'Or and UCL?
A: My priority is to adapt as soon as I can and of course I'd like to win everything but they are long term objectives.
Q: What does Cristiano mean for you. Are you in touch with him?
A: Yes, we are in touch and he has always advised me. I know he'll be happy for me. He's been a hero of mine and I send him the best wishes.
Q: Do you feel the weight of pulling on the Madrid jersey?
A: Of course there is pressure playing for the biggest club in the world but there is also pleasure at playing in the most important club in the world.
Q: Is your plan to play in the UEFA Super Cup next month?
A: Yes, I'd hope to be ready for that as there is a title on the line but that is a question for the head coach.
Q: What do you say to fans who were upset about your decision not to come here in 2022?
A: The love I've felt to date here has been incredible and I'll do all I can for this badge and jersey. I'll do all I can for Madridistas on and off the pitch.
Q: How instrumental has Florentino Perez been in the deal?
A: He's been fantastic in the whole thing, also looking after the interests with my family. And me being here today is thanks to him.
Q: Did you ever feel that this dream of playing her may not come true?
A: No, I always believed that I'd play here despite plenty of offers from other clubs.
Q: What is your favourite memory as a Madrid fan?
A: It's probably one involving Zidane and possibly Cristiano too. I'm living the dream and now am proveledged to play for the team of my dreams.
Q: Are there any players in particular that you are looking forward to playing with?
A: I'm looking forward to playing alongside them all and in Real Madrid, every player is a solid player.
Q: You will play with Vini, Rodygo, Bellingham...where do you feel most comfortable playing?
A: I'm happy to play where the coach tells me and my drive is to help the team. It's not important for me and where the coach decides is where I play,
Q: How do you see the season panning out?
A: I've come with ambition and a drive to win, my initial plan is to adapt to the team and do this as soon as possible.
Q: When was the exact moment when you decided to move to Madrid ?
A: The exact moment is when I was a kid. I always knew that my destiny was to play for Madrid and I'm super happy that this dream is coming true.
Mbappé speaking in Spanish incidentally ....
Q: How do you feel now that you are a Madrid player?
A: It really is an honour to declare myself a Madrid player and today is an amazing day. I just have to say thanks again to everyone who made it possible.
Emilio Buitragueño speaks first, offering his welcome to the striker.
Here we go, Mbappe is back in his suit and we're all set ....
There is some movement in the press room as Mbappé's family and friends take their place in the front row at the media room ... looks like we're all set.
Still no precise information as to when the player will speak to the media at the Bernabeu press room !
Kylian Mbappé / OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP
The new No. 9 with his adoring fans
The fans were in raptures this morning as the player spent time working the crowd kicking a series of balls into the stadium.
Zinedine Zidane / David Ramos / Getty Images
Past and present...
Former Madrid player and coach Zinedine Zidane was one of the surprise guests this morning at the Santiago Bernabeu where the 25-year-old Mbappé was unveiled before an adoring crowd of 80,000 at the stadium.
Kylian Mbappé / OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP
Mbappé poised to speak
We're just moments away from hearing from the player as he is set to address the media.
Today's events suffering with a delay due to the initial prersentation starting later than scheduled.
Available now and outselling CR7
The Mbappé No. 9 is set to break records with early information suggesting that the French striker's replica jersey is selling twice as many as Cristiano's first few days when his replica shirt was on sale.
No doubt the French forward will pick up furter advertising deals and add to his existing portfolio with the striker already the face of Hublot and a leading Nike athlete.
With the player's presentation initially starting with a 35 minute delay, this has had a knock-on effect on the timing originally outlined by the club with the press conference earmarked originally for 1pm (local time).
Hopefully we'll be in the press room imminently to hear the striker fielding questions from the assembled media.
Mbappé signs on the dotted line
Club president and the French striker sign the contract that will see Mbappé play his club football with Real Madrid for the next five years.
An article chronicling when Mbappé is expected to make his debut in a Real Madrid jersey in competitive action for the club.
Next up is the final stop of our Mbappé presentation extravaganza as the striker will speak to the assembled media before taking a well earned and badly needed break before he joins up with Carlo Ancelotti and his new teammates in early August.
Fans now start to make their way out of the Bernabeu having enjoyed the privelege of seeing Mbappé wearing the white jersey for the first time ever at close quarters.
Mbappé unveiled
One of the shots of the new Real Madrid striker, Kylian Mbappé along with club president Florentino Perez.
So, we now move onto the second part of the presentation as the striker will head to the press room at the Bernabéu where media outlets from across the planet are gathered to report on the striker's first words as a Madrid player.
...and that is the end of the activity for the 80,000 fans as the new No. 9 makes his way to the locker room ....
Very solid performance from the 25-year-old who at times defies his age with an impressive maturity.
'Hala Madrid' now plays as Mbappé continues to greet the packed house.
Next up for the striker will be a change of clothes to face the local media for the first time as a Real Madrid player.
Mbappé still doing the rounds and popping balls into the stands.
No ball tricks form the Frenchman so far !
The forward now whacks a few balls into the crowd which are eagerly grabbed by the fans.
The striker now doing the rounds and emptying the ball kart as he goes. Using both feet to strike the ball !
Mbappé now takes to the pitch to greet the 80,000 supporters.
Badge kissing and some ball tricks to ensue...
The striker now poses alongside Pirri, Perez and Zizou and the small matter of 15 (fifteen) European Cups.
Mbappé's parents now take to the stage for 'family photos'.
He concluded with a 1-2-3 Hala Madrid!
I'll give my all for this club and this badge as the fans once again chant his name and makes reference to the younger fans and offers them advice of never giving up on their dreams.
His Spanish is impressive and has no problem in communication!
I've dreamed for so long of playing for Real Madrid and that dream has come true. Today I'm a happy guy !
I'd like to thank the president for believing in me from an early stage.
He also thanks all the people who have helped him on his journey and makes reference to his family.
Mbappé takes the mic as fans chant his name...
He greets the crowd in Spanish and says he'll make an effort to speak the language and says that the experience is incredible !
Perez now makes reference to the 200 French children that Mbappé has paid for as part of the KM Foundation to attend today's event and makes reference to the solidarity side of the French player.
Kylian, welcome to your house ... welcome to Real Madrid.
Perez recalling Mbappe's trip to the Bernabeu in 2012 as a teenager and the visit to Valdebebas which was orchestrated by Zidane.
Mbappé looks on with a beaming smile and humble look as Perez speaks.
Mbappe takes to the podium .....Perez welcomes him to 'his home'.
Mbappe is beaming and relishing the noise from the 80,000 fans packed into the stadium.
Scenes that Madrid fans have dreamed about for years now become a reality !
Now... here we go... an exceptional player who fulfils a lifelong dream....
The fans stand and here is Mbappe !
A massive, massive ovation for the player.
Perez now says that despite our rich history, we need to keep looking towards the future and keep writing new chapters as he introduces Zidane (who gets a massive ovation) and joins Perez and Pirri onstage.
Still no sign of Mbappé tough!
Perez now talks about the history of the club as a football institution and recalls legends such as Di Stefano, Santiago Bernabeu and Santamaria who is present in the crowd.
He also name checks the club's honorary president Pirri (also here today).
Next up, Florentino Perez who will address the crowd.
Firstly he congratulates the Spain national team for their win in Berlin on Sunday and then turns his words towards Mbappe.
We're still with the Mbappé greatest hits showreel.
Some rather good goals from the striker for both Monaco, PSG & Les Bleus.
The epic Nessun Dorma ends....
Another video plays featuring a young Mbappe with some of the footage showing the player wearing Real Madrid training gear.
Footage of classic Real Madrid wins play now on the new giant 360 video screen....
Nessun Dorma by Pavarotti plays on the PA as the countdown begins to Mbappé's arrival ....
A brief video of Mbappé kitted out in white flashes up on the big screen and first out is Florentino Perez (Real Madrid president).
A great roar of approval greets Perez as he makes his way to the stage and he is accompanied by club legends Pirri and Zidane.
Rodrygo welcomes Mbappé
The Brazilian winger has welcomed the French striker to 'the biggest club in the world'
The newly refurbished stadium really does look spectacular with the roof covering the pitch and stands.
The arena is now set to become a entertainment centre for the capital and we've already seen the likes of Karol G and Taylor Swift play shows at the stadium recently.
NFL games and other high profile sports are also expected to be staged at the Chamartin stadium in the near future too.
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd plays on the Bernabeu PA system as the fans continue to wait patiently for the arrival of the 25-year-old.
Mbappé's friends and family now make for their seats that means we're looming towards the arrival of the French striker taking to the stage.
We can expect some words from both the player and RM president Florentino Perez and the traditional keepie uppies from Mbappé who will then launch a series of balls into the crowd.
The showpiece presentation event today will be accompanied by live music, the presence of several Real Madrid “legends” and a massive fireworks show to celebrate the arrival of the Frenchman.
Here we go... Mbappé poised to emerge from the tunnel area at the Bernabeu ...
The final few VIP's are making for their seats at the front of the stage and with the arrival of Emilio Buitragueño (RM head of institutional relations), everything points to the event starting in a matter of minutes.
We're being told that there will be a 'few minutes' delay to the start of the presentation as the final few fans make for the seats at the Bernabéu.
Roncero creating a stir at the Bernabéu
Diario AS and celebrated Madrid fan Tomas Roncero is getting plenty of attention at the Bernabéu this morning with many Madridistas desperate to get a selfie with the famous RMCF 'super fan'.
Less than 15 minutes to go ...
Excitement levels are growing as the VIP sector starts to fill up with the likes of former players and current key staff members Raul (Castilla coach) and Santiago Solari make their way to their seats.
Mapabbé signs on the dotted line
Footage has been released of the striker (now wearing a suit) along with RM president Florentino Perez signing the contract that sees Mbappé become a Real Madrid player for the next five years.
Mbappé shirts flying off the shelf
Last season's best selling Real Madrid (Jude Bellingham No. 5) shirt is expected to be easily eclipsed by the sales of the Mbappé jersey with the home shirt with the player's name and number selling like hot cakes.
Mbappé and Madrid aiming for UCL #16
Both the club and especially their new French signing will be gunning for a 16th European triumph player when the Champions League resumes at the group stage with the new look 'Swiss model' getting underway in early September where Madrid and all other 32 sides will play eight games in the group stage.
The first round of games commence on 7/9 September with the final round of group games earmarked January 2025.
Mbappé arrives at the Bernabéu
The French striker has arrived !
With just less than 45 minutes to go until the presentation, pictures of the Frenchman in the dressing room have emerged.
The new No. 9 will have his locked beside Modric and Valverde, the number 10 and 8 respectively.
Kylian Mbappe / CLEMENS BILAN / EFE
Mbappe to speak in Spanish?
The 25-year-old is reasonably fluid in Spanish and it's expected that the bulk of the presentation will be conducted in the language of his new home.
It's still not sure if he will feel comfortable enough to conduct a press conference in Spanish or will use his native of French to avoid any errors or ambiguous language.
Everything the striker says will be dissected and analysed by both local and global media so the player's team may encourage him to answer questions in French ...
We'll see soon ....
Mbappe is on his way to the Bernabeu !
The paperwork has been signed with images of the player sitting and looking relaxed as he makes the, approximately 20 minute journey from Valdebebas to the Bernabeu in the Chamartin area of the Spanish capital.
The 'thumbs up' pose
We knew it was only a matter of time before the photos emerged of the striker undergoing his medical test with the thumbs up pose.
At the time of writing the striker is now at the Real Madrid training complex at Valdebebas where he is expected to pen his contract in the company of club president Florentino Perez.
The gates of the Bernabéu are now open and fans start to make their way into the ground. Many supporters already sporting the new season jersey with the No. 9 and Mbappé's name on the back.
Plenty of younger fans accompanied by parents with the event falling in the school holidays.
The roof is closed as a measure of protecting the crowd from the feroucios July Spanish sun!
Kaka, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo have all been part of mega event Real Madrid presentations but nothing compares to what the club have prepared for Mbappé.
The stadium itself looks amazing with a splendid display of trophies, big screens and walkways already for the arrival of the French forward.
Mbappé madness in full swing
This is how the surrounding area of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu looks right now with live pics coming through from our colleague Joe who is at the famous Chamartin stadium this morning.
Scarves and shirts
The stalls around the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu are doing a roaring trade already as fans snap up replica jerseys and Mbappé scarves.
Large queues forming already at the Bernabéu
Despite the presentation being more than 90 minutes away, fans are already congregating outside the stadium in Chamartin.
Expectation levels are sky-high in the Spanish capital today among Madridstas.
Mbappe / MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
Mbappé at Euro 2024
It's fair to say that the French forward didn't have the best tournament with France on both a collective and personal level as Les Bleus crashed out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Spain.
Mbappé's tournament was overshadowed by the broken nose he sustained in the group stage against Austria that ruled him out of the 0-0 draw with the Netherlands and the player himself complaining of discomfort and problems breathing as he used a specially made protective face mask in the latter stages of the tournament.
The 25-year-old also looked tired and will welcome some down time after today's presentation.
Mbappe's first words as a Madrid player
There was a bit of a media scrum to be honest outside the medical centre at La Moraleja this morning with the player speaking for the first time in Madrid on the day of his presentation adding 'Yes of course' when asked by a journalist about if playing for Real Madrid was a dream come true.
CLEMENS BILAN / EFE
Mbappé's deal with Madrid
Madrid and the striker have agreed a a five-year deal worth 15 million euros, equivalent to $16.2 million, per year according to initial reports.
Free agent Mbappé is also reportedly receiving a signing bonus worth 150 million euros that will be spread out over the course of his contract.
Mbappé's LaLiga action for Madrid
Mbappé will play his first three league games for Los Blancos against Mallorca, Valladolid and Las Palmas with the striker visiting the two island teams in LaLiga in the opening games.
The first home game for the Frenchman is a clash against newly promoted Valladolid on 25 August and expect tickets to be in very, very high demand despite the fixture coming in the traditional Spanish holiday month of August.
Indeed Real Madrid have displayed all 15 x Champions League trophies on the very stage where Mbappé will be presented later this morning at the Bernabéu.
What better way of motivating the striker !
Mbappé looking to add to honours list at Madrid
Kylian Mbappé may only be 25 years old but cam already boast a wealth of honours at both club and international level.
The Paris native already holds a World Cup winners medal (2018) and a runners- up medal from 2022.
In addition to his Ligue 1 when with Monaco in 2017 he can add a further six Ligue titles from his time at PSG along with four French Cup wins and a plethora of individual awards.
The one medal that eludes the striker is a coveted Champions League winners medal and where better than Real Madrid to try and rectify that situation.
Mbappé leaves La Moraleja clinic
The French striker has left the La Moraleja clinic (disappointingly no thumbs up pics at the moment) and is now head to the Real Madrid training complex at Valdebebas where he will meet club president Florentino Perez to officially sign his contract with the club.
Already the French striker's presence is creating a furore with plenty of fans at the medical clinic and already fans are starting to congregate outside the Santiago Bernabéu.
Expect pics. of a wired up Mbappé flanked by Sanitas (Real Madrid's medical partner) raising a thumb any moment now !
PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP
Mbappé pays for 200 children to attend
The French striker has paid for 200 underprivileged children linked to his KM Foundation to attend this morning's event at the Bernabéu and they will take their place alongside the remaining 79,800 Real Madrid supporters who snapped up tickets for the event.
Mbappé presentation: schedule
Mbappé Planning (all times local)
- Medical check at 9:30h
- Contract signing at Valdebebas with Madrid president Perez at 10:30h
- Official Bernabéu presentation: 12:00h
- Press conference: 13:00h
All these times are tentative with the entire event set to wind up at 2pm (local time)
Mbappé undergoes medical
First stop this morning for the French striker is a routine medical check with the 26-year-old looking relaxed with media attention already starting to build.
The player will undergo his medical at Clínica Sanitas de La Moraleja in the Madrid suburbs.
Scarves of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Luka Modric / David Ramos / Getty Images
80,000 fans expected at the Bernabéu
Mbappé will be welcomed by a massive crowd at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu today with 80,000 fans expected to greet the French striker and get those all important first photos of Mbappé wearing the famous white jersey.
The event is officially a sell-out with no tickets remaining.
When will Mbappé play his first game for Madrid?
As things stand, everything points to the UEFA Super Cup game when Champions League winners face Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw on 14 August being the first time we see the French striker pulling on the Madrid shirt for the first time in an official game.
Mbappé is not expected to join up with his new teammates until early August and is no expected to be involved in the club's US tour where they play Milan, Chelsea and FC Barcelona before returning to the Spanish capital on 8 August.
Real Madrid return ahead of new season
The club officially returned to work yesterday as they prepare for the new 2024-25 season which gets underway in mid August. Carlo Ancelotti and his back room staff met up and were joined by just a handful of players with many of the stars involved in Euro 2024 and Copa America still on vacation.
The event gets underway at 12:00 officially but we'll bring you all the latest news with the striker initially expected to go to the club's Valdebebas training complex to undergo a routine medical and sign the all important contract with club president Florentino Perez present.
Hello and a very warm welcome to our live coverage as we see French striker Kylian Mbappé finally unveiled as a Real Madrid player with an extravagant event planned at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.