MADRID (AP) - Kylian Mbappe finally put on a Real Madrid jersey on Tuesday, fulfilling his childhood dream in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Nearly 80,000 fans were in hand at the Bernabeu to welcome the 25-year-old France star during his official presentation as the club's newest player.
After signing his five-year contract with the Spanish powerhouse alongside club president Florentino Perez, Mbappe entered the stage set up at the Bernabeu to loud cheers by the Madrid fans.
Wearing the No. 9 jersey, Mbappe smiled broadly and waved to the fans who chanted his name, then embraced Perez and former Madrid player and coach Zinedine Zidane, who invited Mbappe to visit the Spanish club for the first time when he was just a teenager.
"It's incredible day for me," Mbappe told the crowd, in Spanish. "Since being a kid I dreamed about playing for Madrid and today I'm here. It means a lot to me."
Mbappe's relatives, club officials and several former players were by the stage at the Bernabeu, which had its roof closed for the midday ceremony in the Spanish capital. Kids linked to Mbappe's foundation were also on hand.
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The record-15 European Cups won by Madrid were also on display on the stage where Mbappe was introduced.
The message "Welcome, Mbappe" was shown on the large video boards at the newly revamped Bernabeu. Some of the club's most iconic moments were also shown while the song "Nessun Dorma" was played on the loudspeakers. Images of Mbappe's career were also displayed, as well as photos including Mbappe wearing Madrid's uniform as a kid and posing alongside former club star Cristiano Ronaldo.
Perez called Mbappe's presentation a "historic act" for the club.
"Today we welcome an exceptional player who today is fulfilling his childhood dream," Perez said. "Today you are here because it's something that you wanted. Thank you for making a great effort to be able to wear this white jersey."
Mbappe's presentation came after he played at the 2024 European Championship, where France lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals.
After years trying to sign the young player, Madrid finally reached a deal with him in June when he opted not to stay with Paris Saint-Germain and became a free agent.
Mbappe had played club soccer only for French teams - first at Monaco before joining PSG and staying there for the past seven seasons.
Perez made signing Mbappe a strategic club priority since the powerhouse failed to lock him up when he visited the club's facilities at age 14 and instead joined Monaco's youth academy.
In 2021, Madrid was rejected after offering PSG a bid of 180 million euros, the same amount PSG paid Monaco for a teenage Mbappe years earlier.
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