NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe was announced as a Real Madrid player in front of 85,000 fans on Tuesday, a moment which millions of Los Blancos fans around the world had waited for years.
Mbappe underwent medical checkups and signed his official contract at Madrid before heading to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium where thousands of fans were waiting for him.
Zinedine Zidane was there to surprise Mbappe. Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid CF, mentioned how 12 years back Zidane invited a young boy to Real Madrid training ground and now he is being presented as a player who will help the European Kings to add more jewels in their crown.
Mbappe was not shy to show his love for the club by kissing the club crest on his shirt and how he was grateful to join the club he even apologized to the Madrid Istas for making them wait this long for the transfer.
A lot of fans noticed similarities between Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid presentation at the Bernabeu. With him replicating every move on stage, Ronaldo did 15 years ago when he came from Manchester United. Fans even pointed out they were wearing the same-coloured outfits when they went for the medical test.
Mbappe even did Ronaldo’s signature ‘uno..dos..tres..Hala Madrid’ chant, it all became clear when Mbappe later in his press conference said he wanted to give his idol a tribute.
Doubts regarding his role at Madrid have been in talks amongst journalists and fans about his play style and position for the club. He addressed the same and said he will do anything the club wants from him and will do anything to make the team better. Fans see him as a successor of Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, however Mbappe will have to work really hard to match the legacy of Real Madrid’s greatest ever player.