"This has always been my destiny" - Kylian Mbappe on moment he decided he wanted to join Real Madrid
New Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe has said that he has always wanted to play for the club since he was a child. The 25-year-old completed his move to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer this summer.
Following a seven-season stint with Paris Saint-Germain, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner arrived in Madrid for a new adventure and got officially unveiled by the club on Tuesday (July 16).
As per Madrid Xtra, Mbappe said that joining Los Blancos is his 'destiny', elaborating:
"The moment I decided to join Real Madrid? When I was a kid. This has always been my destiny."
Following his unveiling at the Bernabeu, the all-time PSG top-scorer said that it's a dream-come-true for him (as per Madrid Xtra):
"I feel privileged to be able to say I'm a Real Madrid player. I've been waiting so long. It's a dream. You can't pay this. This has always been my dream."
As per BBC, the France captain has signed a five-year deal with Madrid and is set to receive a joining bonus of €150 million (to be paid across five years), an annual salary of €15 million and keep a per centage of his image rights.
How new Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe fared at Euro 2024?
New Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe was coming off his most prolific season in club football, scoring 44 times across competitions in what was his last campaign with PSG.
However, the 25-year-old endured a lean Euro 2024 campaign, scoring just once in five games and providing two assists. The lone goal came in the 1-1 group-stage draw with Poland, which marked his first goal at the European Championship, having drawn blanks in four games at Euro 2020.
Mbappe went scoreless in three knockout games but did provide the assist to Randal Kolo Muani - who opened the scoring against eventual champions Spain in the 2-1 semi-final defeat last week in Munich. However, Les Bleus conceded twice in quick succession to bow out.