Kylian Mbappe dubs Real Madrid 'club of my dreams' at packed Santiago Bernabeu presentation

Kylian Mbappe hailed Real Madrid as "the club of my dreams" as he received a rapturous reception at his Santiago Bernabeu presentation.

The France superstar completed his long-anticipated switch to the 15-time European champions when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired at the end of last month.

Mbappe and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez addressed a packed crowd from a specially built stage on the pitch, with former Madrid greats Zinedine Zidane and Raul among those in attendance.

"I want to thank the president Florentino Perez, for always having great confidence in me. There have been a lot of things going on, but we’ve done it. Thank you very much," Mbappe said in impressively fluent Spanish before addressing his parents and visibly emotional mother in the front row.

MORE: How good is Kylian Mbappe? France star compared to Messi, Ronaldo

"I’d also like to thank all those people who have put in a great effort for me to be able to be here today, who have done so much for me to enjoy this moment. My family are so happy here, I can see my mum crying.

"Now I have another dream. That’s a dream of living up to this club’s history. I can promise that I will give it my all for this club and for this badge."

From his well-judged remarks and repeated kissing of the badge to his walk around the pitch, waving almost presidentially to supporters, this was a very well-managed occasion for anyone in the Brand Mbappe business.

"I’d also like to send a message to all the kids that are here today," he added. "I was just like you, I had this dream and today it comes true. I can tell you that if you have the passion, you can achieve your dreams.

“I’m very excited. The fact that I’m talking so much means that it’s important for me to be here today. This is the club of my dreams and the biggest club in the history of world football."

Mbappe spoke after a lengthy address from Perez. For the architect of Madrid's galactico project at the start of the century, this was a moment of personal triumph after several aborted attempts to prise Mbappe from PSG.

"This love that you felt for Real Madrid, and you identifying with this club since your childhood, made it possible for you to be here and to overcome those obstacles on the way to your dream," Perez said.

"Mbappe has fulfilled his dream. Kylian, welcome home. Welcome to Real Madrid."

Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid presentation as it happened

7:14 a.m. ET/1:14 p.m. CET : Mbappe heading back inside now, serenaded by the Madrid club anthem. More badge fiddling. He's bottled/avoided the embarrassment of messing up a few kick-ups.

7:04 a.m. ET/1:04 p.m. CET : He signs off with an "uno, dos, tres... HALA MADRID!" Job done.

Now for a photocall with Perez, some badge kissing and launching some balls into the crowd.

7:00 a.m. ET/1:00 p.m. CET : Mbappe really playing to the gallery here, talking up Madrid's history and how he craved being a part of it. It in terms of fulfilling the brief it's really impressive stuff.

I want to thank the president Florentino Perez, for always having great confidence in me. There have been a lot of things going on, but we’ve done it. Thank you very much.

I’d also like to thank all those people who have put in a great effort for me to be able to be here today, who have done so much for me to enjoy this moment. My family are so happy here, I can see my mum crying.

Now I have another dream. That’s a dream of living up to this club’s history. I can promise that I will give it my all for this club and for this badge.

I’d also like to send a message to all the kids that are here today. was just like you, I had this dream and today it comes true. I can tell you that if you have the passion, you can achieve your dreams.

“I’m very excited. The fact that I’m talking so much means that it’s important for me to be here today. This is the club of my dreams and the biggest club in the history of world football.

6:56 a.m. ET/12:56 p.m. CET : Florentino is still rattling through some fairly florid prose.“Today Kylian

Mbappe has fulfilled his dream.

Kylian, welcome home. Welcome to Real Madrid.

Now Kylian's on the mic. His Spanish is in very good order, it must be said. His mother looks genuinely emotional. Now a kiss of the badge. Mbappe looks like a man who knew this was always going to be a moment in his life. He's working the crowd.

6:47 a.m. ET/12:47 p.m. CET : And here he is! Mbappe is announced by Perez and emerges from the players' tunnel resplendent in the famous all-white Madrid kit. It is a walk he will hope to make many times. He'll hope for plenty more standing ovations like this too.

6:42 a.m. ET/12:42 p.m. CET : Florentino Perez has taken to the stage. He begins by congratulating the Spain men's national team for winning the European Championship. Then he turns towards the business of the day.

It’s a huge satisfaction for us to be here today and to present a new Real Madrid player.

Due to the remodelling of the stadium, some of the previous presentations could not take place here.

But today we can do it here and it’s a very exciting occasion for us.

6:35 a.m. ET/12:35 p.m. CET : Entirely predictably, Mbappe's goals against Barcelona last season are given a good airing.

6:31 a.m. ET/12:31 p.m. CET : Now Mbappe is announced in the stadium and we have a montage of some of his greatest hits, including footage of him in a Madrid shirt as a youngster. The message is clear: This is what we've done and we're adding this guy to it.

6:24 a.m. ET/12:24 p.m. CET : Just had what sounded like a quick blast of Nessun Dorma. That might have been an error. Anyway, now the banner screens around the stadium bowl are beaming out the location and date of all 15 of Madrid's Champions League triumphs, culminating with Wembley 2024. A huge roar. Now there's a montage of those wins soundtracked by the famous Italian aria. Which obviously makes sense when the football institution from Spain's capital are presenting their new French superstar.

6:22 a.m. ET/12:22 p.m. CET : Here's Florentino Perez, flanked by Zinedine Zidane, who looks like he's come straight from his holidays. The Madridista's chant Perez's name. For the man who built his career on the galactic projects at the start of this century, this is a moment of significant triumph.

6:20 a.m. ET/12:20 p.m. CET : No longer suited, Mbappe is in his new kit. No. 9 on his back. Will that number and that shirt come to define an era?

6:10 a.m. ET/12:10 p.m. CET : The man of the moment is in the building. Mbappe has just appeared on the stadium screen wearing black suit and a Madrid jersey clutched in his hand. Real Madrid luminaries including former club captain Raul are taking their seats on the stage that has been set up on the pitch. Mbappe's parents are also in position.

6:00 a.m. ET/12:00 p.m. CET : Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Kylian Mbappe's official presentation at Real Madrid. It's been a long time coming but the 15-time European champions finally have their latest galactico.

When will Kylian Mbappe debut for Real Madrid?

Mbappe's first game for Madrid is set to be their July 31 friendly against AC Milan at Soldier Field, Chicago.

Los Blancos will also play friendlies in the States against Clasico rivals Barcelona and Chelsea before Mbappe's potential competitive debut against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on August 14 .

How much did Real Madrid pay for Kylian Mbappe?

Mbappe left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract last month, meaning Madrid did not pay a dime for his services in terms of a transfer fee.

However, his reported annual salary of €15 million ($16.35m) will make him the highest earner at the Santiago Bernabeu.

When does LaLiga 2024/25 season start?

Carlo Ancelotti's side begin their La Liga title defence at Real Mallorca four days later on August 18 .