Historic day at the Santiago Bernabéu, which today, July 16, saw Kylian Mbappé in white for the first time. The forward was presented at the Madrid coliseum in front of 85,000 spectators, accompanied by his family, his father Wilfried, his mother Fayza, children from his foundation, club representatives like Pirri, Butragueño, Raúl, Solari, and Arbeloa, and one of the most important figures in his career and his signing with Real Madrid: Zinedine Zidane.
"Zizou, 12 years ago you invited a boy to visit Real Madrid's sports city...", Florentino Pérez recalled, also cheered by the crowd. "Today that boy is here. We welcome Kylian Mbappé," announced the president, to the fans' ecstasy.
A catwalk, images on the 360º scoreboard, videos from different eras, unseen footage of Mbappé, in December 2012, training in Valdebebas under Zidane's guidance... It was an unparalleled presentation.
Florentino, who began his speech by congratulating the Spanish national football team, "the best team," was pleased to "return to normality" five years after the last presentation at the stadium, which was Hazard's in the summer of 2019.
"We will continue to feed the myth of this club, and we will do it in this renovated Bernabéu, an imposing temple of world football. A Bernabéu that has seen the best and is now ready for what will be a before and after in Madrid's history," warned the Madrid president.
That before and after is also Mbappé, who walked out from the dressing room tunnel, dressed in the new Madrid kit, with football boots and a wide smile. On the pitch seats, his mother Fayza couldn't hold back her tears. "Congratulations on fulfilling your dream. Your love for Madrid has given you the strength to overcome all barriers to reach this club. You have achieved your dream because you never gave up. You are here because you wanted it. Thank you for making an effort that many can't even imagine," explained Florentino, while Mbappé stood behind him. He was referring, obviously, to the tough negotiations and situations with PSG in recent years.
"Good morning, everyone, I will speak in Spanish," he said, with a perfect accent, causing the crowd to cheer. "Wow... it's incredible to be here. I have dreamed for many years of playing for Real Madrid, and today my dream comes true. I am a happy boy. I want to thank President Florentino Pérez who has believed in me from day one. Many things have happened... but thank you," he summarized. Once again, highlighting the recent years, with the controversial renewal with PSG in 2022.
"Since I was a child, I had only one dream, and that was to be here, it means a lot to me. Thanks to the Madrid fans because for many years they have given me their love. Now I have another dream, to live up to this club's history. I will give my life for this club and this badge," he declared, while kissing the badge. Another ovation from a Bernabéu full of young children, to whom he addressed: "I was a child like you. With passion and dreams, you can achieve whatever you want."
"I'll stop now or I'll end up crying...", he got emotional, before paying tribute to his idol. As Cristiano Ronaldo did in his 2009 presentation, Mbappé asked the crowd to join him in a phrase: "I want to do this with you all... All together. 1,2,3 HALA MADRID!!".
Afterwards, the Frenchman took a lap of honor around the stadium, giving away balls to the crowd, and ended by shouting the white team's anthem: "Hala Madrid!" before heading towards the press room. "The 1, 2, 3 was a nod to Cristiano, he has always been my idol," he admitted.