REAL MADRID
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé signing: key dates and salary details
The PSG superstar is expected to be confirmed as a Real Madrid player this week, although we may have to wait for his unveiling.
Champions League winners Real Madrid will announce the signing of Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé (25 years old) in the coming hours. Los Blancos’ celebrations following their victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday were the perfect way to end a magnificent season, but also marked the beginning of a new era. One that could be even more prosperous, with the “new” Estadio Santiago Bernabéu fully renovated and world superstar Mbappé leading the attack.
Real Madrid and Mbappé silent on transfer
Both the club and the player had insisted nothing would be announced before the Champions League final, and so it proved. Madrid president Florentino Pérez was adamant there would be no distractions as his team chased a 15th European title, and refused to be drawn on the signing of the Frenchman after the game. “I’ll only speak about Real Madrid players,” was the message.
Mbappé has also kept his lips sealed, and didn’t dare comment on his prospective new club’s Champions League victory on social media. His last post on X was on 26 May and relates to PSG’s French Cup victory the previous day. On Instagram, meanwhile, he hasn’t been active since 10 May, when he officially confirmed his departure from the Ligue 1 champions.
When will Mbappé officially sign for Real Madrid?
In theory, Real Madrid will announce the signing of Mbappé either today (Monday 3 June) or tomorrow (Tuesday 4 June), before France’s Euro 2024 warm-up game against Luxembourg on Wednesday. If, for whatever reason, that doesn’t occur, the move is expected to be made official on Thursday. All parties are in agreement that the deal should be completed before the European Championship gets underway so that the 25-year-old can focus fully on the tournament.
When will Mbappé be unveiled by Real Madrid?
The French star has already signed the final documents required to make him a Real Madrid player, although the date of his unveiling hasn’t yet been confirmed. It does seem, however, it will take place after Euro 2024, with Monday 15 or Tuesday 16 July possibilities.
The plan is for Mbappé to be presented at the Bernanéu, which will be open to the public, much in the same way as some recent “galácticos” were.
How much will Mbappé earn at Real Madrid?
The 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner will earn €15 million ($16.28 million) per season and will own 80% of his image rights. The transfer bonus he will receive as part of his salary hasn’t been revealed. Real Madrid, of course, won’t have to pay PSG a single cent.
Mbappé's unveiling will have the eyes of the world on it, which is why it will almost certainly take place after the European Championship finishes on Sunday 14 July (which is when the 2024 Copa América also concludes).
Previous “galáctico” presentations: Zidane, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo...
The Bernabéu is expected to be full for the occasion despite the high summer temperatures, like the most recent high-profile signings, if not all of the biggest names in the club’s history.
In 2000, Luis Figo was presented with the No. 10 jersey in the box of honour at the Santiago Bernabéu after his shock move from Barcelona. The following year, Zinedine Zidane was unveiled at the club’s sports hall, a former ice rink, in front of 400 journalists.
500 members of the press witnessed Ronaldo’s first moments as a Real Madrid player in the Bernabéu media room in 2002, a figure that was broken 12 months later when 544 attended David Beckham’s unveiling at the Raimundo Saporta pavilion.
Things changed drastically in the following years, particularly in 2009, when three new signings were presented to the fans inside the stadium.
Kaká's arrival from AC Milan attracted 50,000 supporters to the Bernabéu, with 15,000 turning up for Karim Benzema, not a global superstar at that point.
However, the main attraction was Cristiano Ronaldo. 85,000 packed into the stadium to welcome the Portuguese, with the LaLiga giants claiming there were long lines of people queuing outside, unable to get in. Expect something similar, or even bigger, this summer after Mbappé is finally confirmed as a Real Madrid player. We don’t have long to wait.