- Kylian Mbappe is now finally a Real Madrid player after years of courting
- France forward will wear the number 9 for Los Blancos next season
- Euro 2024 means Mbappe’s debut for the Spanish side will be delayed
After years of speculation, with a new saga every transfer window, Kylian Mbappe has joined Real Madrid at long last.
The former Paris Saint-Germain forward moves to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer, bolstering a star-studded squad that were crowned champions of Europe in early June.
Hardly seems fair, does it?
Madrid supporters have long anticipated the moment they get to witness Mbappe don the fabled white jersey for the first time, one that will be emblazoned with the historic number nine on the back.
But just when might the French superstar make his debut?
Will Kylian Mbappe feature for Real Madrid in pre-season?
Mbappe has already been shown off to Real Madrid supporters at the Bernabeu, but the 25-year-old is not part of the club’s pre-season squad travelling to the United States from 28 July. The Spanish champions have friendlies lined up against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea across the country, but their new summer signing will not be on the plane across.
Instead, Mbappe, who is still recovering from his Euro 2024 involvement with France, will join up with his new teammates on 7 August to begin his pre-season preparations then. The same applies to his compatriots Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga, who all reached the semi-final of this summer’s tournament.
The club, Carlo Ancelotti and Mbappe have come to the decision together, allowing the former PSG man time to recover before the new campaign.
When will Kylian Mbappe make his Real Madrid debut?
Despite only returning to training on 7 August, it’s expected that Mbappe will make his competitive debut a week later. The Frenchman is likely to get game time during Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup clash with Atalanta on 14 August, meaning he could win his first piece of silverware with the club in his first outing.
The UEFA Super Cup sees Champions League victors Real face Europa League champions Atalanta, with the game taking place in Warsaw, Poland. Los Blancos have won the competition five times before and will set a record for the most victories should they beat Atalanta.
Speaking about his debut, Mbappe stated: “I am in contact with the doctors and they will tell me when I return from my holiday. We have already spoken with [fitness coach Antonio] Pintus to design a pre-season programme. It’s going to be a long season, we need special preparation.
“I spoke with the doctors and we will see what we will do and I will surely play in the Super Cup, but it depends on the coach. I’m going to work to be ready.”
If for some reason Mbappe fails to feature in Poland, then his next opportunity to make his debut will come in La Liga. Real Madrid kick off their campaign away against RCD Mallorca on 18 August.
Kylian Mbappe debut record
When Mbappe made his senior debut with Monaco in October 2015, the forward became the youngest appearance-maker in the club’s history – a record he took from Thierry Henry. He was unable to make a significant impact given he was brought on by coach Leonardo Jardim in the 88th minute during a 1-1 draw with Caen in Ligue 1.
After his move to PSG in 2017, Mbappe made a bigger impact. His debut came in a 5-1 hammering of Metz in Ligue 1, with the dynamo bagging a goal in his first outing. He also netted on his Champions League debut for the capital side just four days later against Celtic.
In a France jersey, Mbappe made his debut at an incredibly young age. He was once again a sub, coming on in the 78th minute of a 3-1 victory over Luxembourg in 2018 World Cup qualifying.
