Real Madrid formalizes the arrival of Kylian Mbappé for five years

The 25-year-old French striker was free from any contract after seven seasons at Paris Saint-Germain.

The end of the worst kept secret in history. After months of speculation, Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid put an end to the false suspense, Monday June 3, via a press release [en espagnol]. “Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappé have reached an agreement for him to be a Real player for the next five years”, indicates the Merengue club. A few minutes later, the Spanish champion posted on his social networks featuring his new attacker.

As expected, the 25-year-old French striker is packing his bags in Spain, in the Merengue club which has just been crowned champion of Spain and winner of his fifteenth Champions League.

In the Real Madrid locker room, Kylian Mbappé finds several compatriots: Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. The striker also becomes the 22nd Habs in the history of the Madrid club, which has notably seen three French Ballons d’Or: Zinédine Zidane (2001-2006), Karim Benzema (2009-2023) and Raymond Kopa (1956- 1959).

Since he confirmed his departure from Paris Saint-Germain on May 11, as expected for months, Kylian Mbappé’s destination was no longer in much doubt. Indeed, Kylian Mbappé has never hidden his love for Real Madrid, while few European clubs had the financial capacity and sporting ambition to attract the Bondy star. As a child, the 2018 world champion had already tried out in the Spanish capital.

In 2017, upon his departure from AS Monaco, Kylian Mbappé had already hesitated between Real Madrid and PSG, with regular rumors announcing him leaving for Spain before his real false start as the summer approached. 2022. An about-face which had upset the Madrid public who have since turned the page: evidenced by the scarves bearing the player’s image on sale for several weeks, even before his transfer was made official.

On the pitch, however, the Frenchman will have to find his place alongside stars Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior. He will also have to find a number, since the 7 of his idol Cristiano Ronaldo (top scorer in the history of Real), which he had at PSG, is worn by the Brazilian Vinicius Jr, the 10, which he wears in French team, by the Croatian Luka Modric, and the 11th by the Brazilian Rodrygo. Could it be the 9, which Raymond Kopa (the first Frenchman to win the C1) also wore in his time, left vacant since the departure of Karim Benzema for Saudi Arabia?