Mbappé debuted for Real Madrid wearing shirt number 9
The unveiling ceremony of Mbappe by Real Madrid will take place at the Bernabeu Stadium this afternoon, with all tickets already sold out.
The introduction ceremony is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM local time in Madrid, which is 5:00 PM in Hanoi. This event comes just two days after the Euro 2024 final and six days after Mbappe and France lost 1-2 to Spain in the semi-finals.
Mbappe passed his medical examination at La Moraleja hospital in the morning. Doctors also reassessed the condition of his nose to determine if surgery is needed. Afterwards, he emerged to greet fans and signed autographs. The 1998-born forward then moved to the Bernabeu stadium where he signed a contract with President Florentino Perez, valid until June 2029. He also received the number 9 jersey, previously worn by compatriot Karim Benzema.
President Perez then took Mbappe on a tour of the club’s history room, showcasing their 15 Champions League trophies — a title Mbappe is still chasing. He also gifted the newcomer a watch and a replica of the Bernabeu stadium. The stage at Bernabeu was set for Mbappe’s grand introduction and speech, which has been described as the most spectacular since Cristiano Ronaldo’s unveiling 14 years ago. Mbappe’s appearance promised to break the attendance record with 85,000 spectators expected. Tickets, initially free, were reportedly being resold for around $110.
Mbappe’s arrival helps Real create the Galacticos 3.0 era, joining a renowned attacking quartet with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo. He also reunites with his French national teammates Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Mbappe is expected to join Real on their tour in the US, facing AC Milan on July 31, Barcelona on August 3, and Chelsea on August 6. Their first official match will be the UEFA Super Cup on August 14 against Europa League champions Atalanta, held in Poland.
At 25 years old upon joining Real, Mbappe has already won the 2018 World Cup and holds the record for most goals in PSG history with 256 strikes. After shining at Monaco, he returned to PSG on loan in 2017 before signing a long-term contract. Despite winning six Ligue 1 titles, Mbappe has yet to win the Champions League, achieving his best result as a runner-up in 2019-2020. Meanwhile, Real has won this competition twice in the last three seasons and holds the record with 15 titles.
Mbappe will earn $16.28 million annually at Real, along with bonuses up to $162.8 million based on performance and dedication. His 5-year contract extends until 2029, retaining part of his image rights.
This salary package is significantly lower than the reported $775 million per year offered by Al Hilal if Mbappe had chosen to play in Saudi Arabia. Even his Real Madrid salary is less than what he earned in his final year at PSG, where he received $81.4 million annually, plus a $32.56 million contract extension bonus. PSG has freed up $238.8 million in wages by allowing Mbappe to depart. According to Sky Sports, Mbappe will receive a loyalty fee of $87 million from PSG before leaving.
