Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images
After celebrating his transfer to Real Madrid in front of a jampacked Santiago Bernabeu for his official presentation, Kylian Mbappe addressed the media in his first press conference as a Madridista.
The 25-year-old has joined the club on a free transfer, signing a five-year contract until 2029, and reiterated what he stated in his presentation – that it is a dream come true for him.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be a Real Madrid player. It’s a fantastic day. I was expecting a great day and it was much better. I have to thank the club and all the Madridistas,” he stated.
“I feel privileged. It was my dream as a child and I was waiting for this moment for a long time. Now it is a reality. You can’t pay for a dream. My dream was to be a player of Real Madrid and now I am.
“It is a great satisfaction for me and my family. They know the efforts I had to make to come here. I am very happy.”
On the transfer to Real Madrid
On being asked about when he decided to sign for Real Madrid, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner replied:
“Since I was a child. It was easy. First, it was a dream and then a goal. I knew that my destiny was to play for Madrid, that it would come one day. Now I’m lucky that day has come.”
The French superstar was then asked about the mentality and the state of mind with which he arrives at the club. In response, he said:
“I arrive with humility, because it’s the best club in the world, but I arrive with ambition. These are the values of the club. But the priority now is to adapt to the team, to the collective. When that happens it will be easier. It’s a great team.”
It is no secret that Mbappe was close to joining Real Madrid a couple of years ago, but the move fell through. The forward, though, insisted that he does not reflect on the past, saying:
“I was close two years ago and also three years ago. It’s part of a footballer’s life. The past is behind me and I think about the present. I want to enjoy every second I have. For me, it’s a historic day.”
When asked if he had any doubt that a move to Real Madrid might never materialise, Mbappe responded by saying:
“No, I was sure that the time would come. I had many offers from clubs, but I always said the same thing. When I left Paris it would be to go to Madrid. It was clear in my head. It was my dream. Many things can happen in football, but this was clear to me.”
Mbappe also expressed his gratitude towards Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, saying:
“Florentino has always helped me and my family. That’s very important, because to feel that your boss believes in you… I know it’s a difficult job and today I’m very happy.”
On whether he feels the pressure of playing for a shirt as ‘heavy’ as that of Real Madrid, he replied:
“You come to a historic, mythical club. It weighs heavily on your shoulders. But I take it as a privilege. I’ve been lucky enough to play for big clubs before.
“At Monaco, who train young players very well, at PSG and now at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world. I hope I can live up to this club.”
On the team and teammates
There has been a lot of speculation about where Mbappe will play in Real Madrid’s attack once he arrives and the forward was asked in which position he preferred to play, to which he replied:
“Wherever the coach wants. I can play in all three positions up front. I’ve done it with PSG, Monaco and the national team. That’s a detail for the journalists, but for me it’s not a debate. I want to be on the pitch. I don’t care where. What I want is to help Real Madrid.”
On being asked if he had spoken with manager Carlo Ancelotti and was looking forward to playing with teammates like Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham, he said:
“I spoke to the coach this morning in Valdebebas, but nothing tactical. I’m looking forward to playing with the players.
“You say about Vini, Bellingham? They are great players, but they are all great players. I met some of my teammates this morning and I’m very happy to be a Real Madrid player.”
When asked about his first memories of Real Madrid, Mbappe recalled how he idolised club legends like Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying:
“Uf, I have many. I think Zidane. In France, we followed all his matches when he was at Madrid. Then the matches of my idol Cristiano and now I can’t watch them because I have to play. It’s a pleasure.
“A kid who had a dream and now he goes to the presentation with his favourite team. I enjoy every second because I will remember it all my life.”
Going into detail about what Cristiano Ronaldo means to him, Mbappe said: “He has always been my idol. I am lucky that he is now a friend. We have a lot of contact and he gives me a lot of advice.
“He tells me to work, to keep the passion for the game. I know it was difficult for him at the European Championship, but we gave each other a hug.”
On his history with Zidane, the 25-year-old remarked: “I came in 2012, with Zizou, and it was a child’s dream, crazy. A boy of 13 or 14 and to be welcomed by Zinedine Zidane. I was very excited. It was a moment in my life that I enjoyed like a child.”
On being asked what he can offer to the team that won almost everything last season, he replied:
“It’s a team that always wins, always has. What I want is to do my bit. I’m very happy and I’m looking forward to adapting to give them what they need, what they ask of me. I’m looking forward to training and enjoying myself.”
The Frenchman also revealed that his compatriots in the Real Madrid squad as well as Vinicius Jr. constantly kept urging him to join the club, saying:
“The French, they told me a lot. Vinicius also sent me messages, ‘Come to Madrid, we’re going to score goals together’. I don’t need those messages to know that it’s the best team in the world, but it’s a pleasure to feel loved.”
When asked if he, Vinicius, and Rodrygo Goes can all play together, Mbappe responded in the affirmative, saying:
“Vinicius is a great player and I’m very happy to play with him. Also with Rodrygo and with everyone. Great players are made to play together.
“I will have no problem playing with Vinicius. He had a perfect last few seasons. Now I have to adapt to Vinicius, Rodrygo and everyone to help them.”
On whether he wanted to take the No. 10 shirt instead of No. 9, he replied: “We have number 10, it’s Luka Modric. I’m proud to be close to him in the dressing room. The important thing for me is what’s in front of me, the goal.
“The number on the back doesn’t matter to me. The number 9 is important, but for me the number is not the most important thing.”
The Frenchman also touched upon fellow new signing Endrick, stating that he will always be available for the teenager for advice, saying:
“I know his reputation and people speak very highly of him. I haven’t seen much of him, I saw him with the Brazilian national team scoring goals, but I’m sure he has a lot of talent. He is a young player, he has to learn.
“It might work out at the beginning or not, but he has me here for any advice. I also started with 16 and I know what it means. He will score goals for Madrid, for sure.”
On injury, fitness and potential debut
It must be remembered that Mbappe suffered a broken nose during the Euros. But when asked about his physical state, he replied he is ready to help the team from the date they wanted him to.
“I am at the club’s disposal. They will give me more information in the next few days. When I return on the date they have told me I will prepare to help them,” he said.
On what are his plans to return to his best level physically before the next season, Mbappe stated:
“We have already spoken this morning with Pintus and the person around me. To prepare the best possible programme. We have played seven competitions and it has been a long season.
“This one will be too and we have a special preparation. We spoke this morning and we will follow the established programme.”
When asked if he will be undergoing surgery on the injured nose, Mbappe replied stating that everything will depend on the club and that he will be ready for the UEFA Super Cup clash.
“We spoke this morning with the club’s medical team and we will wait for the results. Then we will see what to do,” he remarked.
“I’m sure I’ll play in the Super Cup, but it depends on the coach. I will be ready. It would be the first title and I’m looking forward to playing. But that question is for the coach (smiles).”
On whether joining Real Madrid takes him closer to winning the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, he replied:
“There is no better place than Madrid to win titles. But the key is to adapt well. If I do that, the rest will come naturally. Winning everything is an objective, but in the long term. Now I want to get back to training and adapt to the team.”
On whether his new teammates have told him what it means to play for Real Madrid, Mbappe responded:
“They tell me that there is no other club like Real Madrid. Everyone has played at other clubs, at big clubs, but they all tell me that here I would have a unique experience. More important than winning, it’s a club that lives the dream 100%.
“Everyone who works here has the passion to work at Madrid. That is transmitted. This morning I saw a lot of excited people in Valdebebas. I’m very happy to be part of the big Real Madrid family now.”
When being asked if he would be available for the pre-season tour of the USA, Mbappe remarked: “Regarding the tour, we will see with the coach and the club. If they want me to go, I’ll go, if not, I won’t go. I will listen to the club.”
On his objectives at Real Madrid, he said: “My objectives are no different to those of the club: to win titles. Also to adapt and then, after that, to win titles. The club has done it without me, but I hope it will do it with me too.
“Talking about goals is a mistake. We mustn’t set limits. If I have to score a lot of goals, I’ll do it, if I have to provide assists, that’s great. It’s the best club in the world. Real Madrid are always favourites to win the Champions League.”
