Kylian Mbappe to start alongside Vinicius Jr and 23-year-old star for Real Madrid's UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta - Reports
New Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is set to star alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes in the UEFA Super Cup clash with reigning UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw on Wednesday (August 14). Mbappe was unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.
The 25-year-old - one of the best strikers in the game - arrived at Los Blancos on a free transfer after a hugely successful seven-season stay at PSG. Mbappe left the Ligue 1 giants as their all-time top-scorer, scoring 256 times and winning six league titles, among other domestic honors.
Mbappe was excluded from Los Blancos' pre-season tour of the US due to his deep run with France at Euro 2024. Les Bleus made the semi-final, where they lost 2-1 to eventual winners Spain.
Fast forward a month, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is set to make his much-anticipated Los Blancos debut in the upcoming UEFA Super Cup. As per Marca (via Madrid Xtra), Mbappe is set to partner the Brazilian duo of Vinicius, 24, and Rodrygo, 23.
Coming off a 44-goal 2023-24 campaign - his most prolific in club football - Mbappe is expected to hit the ground running at an excellent Los Blancos team.
What Kylian Mbappe said on his Real Madrid unveiling
New Real Madrid hitman Kylian Mbappe expressed his happiness as he realized a childhood dream by moving to the legendary Spanish club. Los Blancos were in Mbappe's pursuit for a while before striking gold this summer.
The 25-year-old is now looking forward to carve out his niche at the club, which he calls the 'best in the world'. In a glittering unveiling ceremony at the Bernabeu, Mbappe said in Spanish (as per ESPN):
"Wow. It's incredible to be here. I dreamt for many years about playing for Real Madrid, and today that dream comes true. I wasn't the best at school, but in Spanish I gave 100% -- I had the dream of playing for Real Madrid.
"I want to thank the president (Florentino Perez) first. He believed in me from the first day. A lot of things happened, but I want to say thank you. I want to thank everyone who has worked for me to come here. I know it was hard, but now I'm here, I'm a Real Madrid player."
He concluded:
"Since I was a kid I had one dream, to play here. Being here means a lot to me ... Now I want to achieve another dream, being at the level of this club, the best in the world. I can say one thing: I'll give everything for this club and this badge."
Kylian Mbappe will look to hit the ground running by scoring on his debut for Carlo Ancelotti's side next week.