Real Madrid supporters will have to wait before treating themselves to Kylian Mbappé's jersey. Despite announcing the five-year signing of the French team captain on Monday, the Spanish giant cannot market his image for the moment, with Mbappé still on his contract with PSG until June 30. 'We cannot print jerseys with the name of a player who belongs to another club,' summarized Real Madrid interviewed by AFP.
While several supporters were seen with 'Mbappé 9' jerseys in the streets of Madrid, it is currently impossible to have Real's new white tunic officially printed in the name of the French striker online or in stores. Mbappé, who has been attached to numbers 7 and 10 in the past, will initially wear the number 9 jersey, left vacant by Karim Benzema, before taking over the number 10 from Luka Modric.
Real Madrid is securing Kylian Mbappé in the long term, signing him until 2029 with a substantial release clause of 1 billion euros. This move ensures that the 25-year-old French superstar is an indispensable part of their future. The deal was officially announced on social media, culminating years of intense speculation and negotiations.
The contract that binds Mbappé to Real Madrid is designed to prevent any club, including financially strong ones from Saudi Arabia, from buying him out of his contract, securing his place at Santiago Bernabéu for the foreseeable future. The clause ensures transparency and clear conditions, denoting Real Madrid's immense trust and high expectations.
Mbappé's transfer comes with significant financial benefits for Real Madrid, including sponsorship contracts, jersey sales, and ticketing. The club expects to amortize this free but expensive transfer, with Mbappé's salary estimated at 15 million euros net per season and a signing bonus of over 100 million.
However, fans will have to wait a few more weeks before they can see Mbappé in official merchandise and promotions, as Real Madrid plans to leverage the economic benefits brought by the French player in its new 'megastore' located in front of the renovated and modernized Santiago Bernabeu stadium. The presence of Mbappé is expected to further elevate the attractiveness of the Spanish league.
Cristiano Ronaldo, currently in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, commented on Mbappé's move by saying, 'Now it's my turn to watch you. Excited to see you light up the Bernabéu'.
- Jamal Musiala from FC Bayern had also courted Kylian Mbappé, reflecting the intense competition to secure his signing. Reports suggest that Mbappé will receive 150 million euros as hand money from Real Madrid for his signature, in addition to a salary of 15 million euros per year and income from image rights.
- The announcement has set the football world abuzz, with experts discussing the impact of this mega deal. Carlo Ancelotti's decision to end his career in 2026 adds another dimension, indicating a limited but crucial time frame for the player-coach partnership at Real Madrid.
- The high transfer fee and long contract term reveal Real Madrid's strategy to strengthen its position as one of the leading clubs in international football. The move is expected to significantly impact not only the Spanish league but also the global football market, positioning Real Madrid as a powerhouse.
