The endless soap opera has come to an end: after more than seven years of rumors and “dating”, French star Kylian Mbappé was announced by Real Madrid this Monday.
A story with a happy ending for both parties. In a statement, the Spanish club made Mbappé’s arrival official “for the next five seasons”, after years of trying to get him out of PSG.
The 25-year-old striker, in turn, has never hidden his preference for Real Madrid, with posters of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo hanging on the walls of his room in Bondy (outskirts of Paris), where he grew up.
“A dream that came true,” wrote Mbappé on his social media.
“I’m very happy and proud to be part of my dream club, Real Madrid. It’s impossible to explain how happy and excited I am right now. I can’t wait to see you Madridistas and thank you for your incredible support. Hala Madrid! “, declared the attacker in a text written in English, Spanish and French.
Free to sign with any club since announcing his departure from PSG on May 10, Mbappé opens a new chapter of his career.
He leaves the Parisian team after seven seasons and as the top scorer in PSG’s history (256 goals in 308 games), but with a legacy that was tarnished in the final stretch of his time due to friction with fans, coaches and the club’s management.
Elected five consecutive times as the best player in Ligue 1 and world champion with France in 2018, Mbappé shone in the PSG shirt, but without realizing his big “dream”: winning the Champions League.
A dream come true.
Very happy and proud to be part of the club of my dreams @realmadrid It’s impossible to explain how happy and excited I feel right now. I can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thank you for your incredible support.
Hello Madrid! 🤍🤍🤍— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) June 3, 2024
In search of glory
Real Madrid, orphaned by a goalscorer since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, are eagerly awaiting the French star to lead the team.
Mbappé, who repeatedly reiterates his desire to make “history” in football, will be in the right place to quench his thirst for trophies.
But to do so, he will have to start by convincing the demanding Madrid fans and establishing a good relationship with a group of players who won everything without him.
“Real Madrid has many stars. He will have to learn to shine as one more star in this team”, summarized fan Helena Martín, a 42-year-old teacher.
“It’s Mbappé who needs Real Madrid, more than Real Madrid needs Mbappé”, says Gabriel Urrutia, a 37-year-old member of the Merengue club.
The announcement was received in the Spanish capital as a kind of liberation and the logical end of a soap opera that had been going on since 2017, even before Mbappé arrived at PSG.
In recent years, the two parties have maintained contact, although the player has dodged Real Madrid’s inquiries, especially in 2022, when he renewed his contract with PSG.
The French striker clarified this Monday the doubts in France’s concentration in Clairefontaine, where the team is preparing for the Euro Cup, by telling the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, that the official signing of his contract would take place “this afternoon”.
Shirt 9
“Kyky”, who will initially wear the number 9 shirt, without an owner since Benzema’s departure, will form alongside Englishman Jude Bellingham and Brazilian Vinícius Júnior a super attacking trio led by Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti.
According to the Spanish press, Mbappé will receive one of the highest salaries in Real Madrid’s history, around 35 million euros per season (approximately R$199 million), more than what Vini and Bellingham earn.
The value is well below what the striker received at PSG, around 70 million euros (R$399 million), not including bonuses.
Mbappé’s arrival in Madrid at no cost could be accompanied by a bonus worth more than 100 million euros (R$570 million) and an 80%-20% division of image rights in his favor.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
