Kylian Mbappe makes decision on nose surgery, details of competitive Real Madrid debut emerges in latest report
Kylian Mbappe will reportedly not undergo surgery for his nose ahead of the new season with Real Madrid. He will also likely make his official debut for the club in the UEFA Super Cup.
Mbappe was officially presented as a Los Blancos player to the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, July 16. After completing his medical, he visited the stadium to complete his signing with club president Florentino Perez. After the presentation, he also attended a press conference.
During the conference, Kylian Mbappe was asked if he'll be available for the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League winners. He confirmed that he will be ready for the clash set to take place at National Stadium Warsaw in Poland on August 14.
Journalist Edu Aguirre has confirmed that the Frenchman will start training with Real Madrid on August 7. He is currently on holiday after the UEFA Euro 2024. He also reported that the forward will not have nose surgery.
Kylian Mbappe suffered a nose injury in France's first Euro 2024 game against Austria. He missed their next clash against the Netherlands and had to wear a mask for the remainder of the tournament until the semi-finals. Les Bleus were eliminated in the semi-finals against eventual winners Spain.
Kylian Mbappe on criticism from Real Madrid fans in 2022 for staying at PSG
Kylian Mbappe has been linked with a move to Real Madrid since his AS Monaco days. He eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2017 but was again linked with Los Blancos in 2022, with his contract set to expire. However, after a lot of speculation, he signed a new two-year deal at the French club.
His decision brought him a lot of flak from Real Madrid supporters, some of whom even claimed they should never sign him. After his presentation on Tuesday, he was asked about the criticism and he answered (via Managing Madrid):
“It’s part of football. Sometimes people love you, other times they are angry with you. The love I’ve had from Madridistas has been incredible, I haven’t even played a game and the fans are showing me so much love.
"That’s why I’ll give my life for this club, badge and shirt. They have trusted in me and I need to do things well on and off the pitch for them, my family and myself to enjoy every second.”
Kylian Mbappe will take No. 9 shirt for the Spanish giants, just like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo did when he arrived from Manchester United in 2009.