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Mbappe says dream has come true at Real unveiling

Football

By AFP | Jul 17, 2024

French superstar Kylian Mbappe was officially unveiled as a Real Madrid player yesterday, telling 80,000 fans "my dream has come true".

The striker, who had completed his medical earlier yesterday morning, signed a five-year contract and was handed a No. 9 shirt by club president Florentino Perez.

"Wow," Mbappe said in Spanish to roars from a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

"For years I've dreamed of playing for Real and today my dream has come true," said the 25-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain player.

"I'm a happy boy. I'm going to give my life for this club," said Mbappe.

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Accompanied by his parents watching from the crowd and with a former French hero of the club, Zinedine Zidane, in attendance, Mbappe was emotional as the crowd chanted his name, and at one point kissed the jersey of the reigning Spanish and European champions.

Mbappe is "an exceptional player who comes to help us continue winning, a player who today fulfills the dream of his life," said Perez. "Welcome to your home."

Although his new teammates began training on Monday, the forward, who captained France during their unsuccessful Euros campaign, will have a few more days off before kicking off his season in the Spanish capital.

The unveiling of Real's latest Galactico allowed its fans to continue celebrating following Spain's Euro 2024 triumph on Sunday. The crowd was expected to be bigger than that 15 years ago when Cristiano Ronaldo was unveiled.

At Real, Mbappe will form part of an offensive trio alongside England midfielder Jude Bellingham and Brazil attacker Vinicius Junior under the watch of veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Mbappe is hoping the move will finally see him win a Champions League and the Ballon d'Or, two of his lifelong objectives.