Kylian Mbappé's Grand Welcome at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé's presentation at Real Madrid has drawn significant parallels with Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic unveiling in 2009. The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was filled with around 80,000 ecstatic fans, mirroring the turnout for Ronaldo's introduction 15 years ago. This remarkable resemblance was further highlighted by the Spanish TV program El Chiringuito, which showcased side-by-side clips of both presentations.
Mbappé, who transferred from PSG to Real Madrid on a free transfer, demonstrated his admiration for Ronaldo by mimicking his gestures and words. The Frenchman expressed his childhood dream of playing for Real Madrid, much like Ronaldo did. He even addressed the fans with the same enthusiastic shout of 'Uno, dos, tres... ¡Hala Madrid!' and wore the number 9 shirt, reminiscent of Ronaldo's early days at the club.
Following in Ronaldo's Footsteps
Mbappé's connection with Ronaldo goes beyond the presentation. At his first press conference as a Real Madrid player, Mbappé acknowledged Ronaldo as his idol and a friend who offers him advice. 'He has always been my idol since I was little. Now he is a friend who gives me advice. We are always in contact, which is a privilege,' said Mbappé.
The French striker impressed many with his Spanish skills, attributing his proficiency to his long-held dream of joining Real Madrid. 'I started at school. I wasn't the best at school, but I gave 100 percent in Spanish because I knew that I had this dream of playing for Real Madrid one day,' he shared.
The media coverage of Mbappé's presentation was extensive. French newspapers like L'Equipe and Le Parisien highlighted the joyous reception, while Spanish dailies such as AS, ABC, El Mundo, and Marca celebrated his arrival with headlines emphasizing his ambition, humility, and fulfillment of a childhood dream. The excitement surrounding Mbappé's move is palpable, and fans eagerly await to see if he will replicate Ronaldo's success on the pitch.
