July 16, 2024, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Kylian Mbappé, 25, is officially introduced as a new Real Madrid player in front of more than 75,000 spectators who have come to witness an event comparable in scale to Cristiano Ronaldo’s introduction in 2009. The French forward’s childhood dream has finally come true, after seven years of waiting, negotiating, refusing, and accepting. This article traces Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid, the sporting stakes of this transfer, and the opening lines of the new era he is ushering in at the Bernabéu.
Mbappé didn’t arrive in Madrid as just another signing. He wore the number 9 jersey during his first season, following in the footsteps of the club’s legendary strikers (Ronaldo Nazário, Karim Benzema). His debut season in 2024–2025 broke a record held for nearly 30 years by Iván Zamorano. At age 26 in 2025, he switched to the number 10 jersey, traditionally worn by creative playmakers, a sign of his increased offensive responsibility.
From Bondy to Real Madrid: The Childhood of a Madridista
Kylian Mbappé Lottin was born on December 20, 1998, in Paris’s 19th arrondissement, but grew up in Bondy, in the Seine-Saint-Denis department. His father, Wilfrid—a former amateur player of Cameroonian descent—became his first coach at AS Bondy when he was just 6 years old. His mother, Fayza, a former handball player of Kabyle Algerian descent, also played a key role in his upbringing and in guiding his budding career.
From a very young age, Kylian expressed his admiration for Real Madrid. His childhood bedroom was plastered with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, and the Madrid club’s white jersey had been a part of his imagination since he was a child. He would refer to this passion repeatedly in interviews, describing it as a guiding thread that shaped his long-term career choices.
In 2011, at the age of 12, he joined INF Clairefontaine, the French national training center. He stayed there for two years before signing his first youth contract with AS Monaco in 2013, at the age of 14, even as several European clubs were already courting him. AS Monaco took a long-term view with him, which would prove to be one of the club’s masterstrokes of the 2010s.
The years in Monaco and then Paris
On December 2, 2015, at the age of 16 years and 11 months, Mbappé made his professional debut with AS Monaco against Caen in Ligue 1. It was a memorable debut, followed by a gradual rise to prominence. On February 20, 2016, he scored his first professional goal, becoming, at 17 years and 62 days old, one of the youngest scorers in the club’s history. The 2016–2017 season would definitively launch his international career.
Under Leonardo Jardim, he finished the season with 26 goals across all competitions, played a key role in AS Monaco’s French league title (the club’s first since 2000), and reached the Champions League semifinals, where Monaco lost to Juventus. At 18, he became one of the most sought-after players in Europe, attracting interest from Manchester City, Real Madrid, and PSG.
On August 31, 2017, PSG signed him on loan with an option to buy for €180 million, which was exercised in the summer of 2018. At the time, it was the second-most expensive transfer in history, following Neymar Jr.’s move to the same club a few weeks earlier. Mbappé would remain there for seven seasons, winning six Ligue 1 titles and several French Cups, scoring 256 goals in 308 matches, and becoming the top scorer in the Parisian club’s history.
The Transfer Saga (2017–2024)
The saga of the transfer to Real Madrid has spanned seven years, marked by numerous twists and turns. As early as 2017, Real Madrid made concrete approaches to PSG, which either rejected them or set unacceptable financial terms. In 2021, Real Madrid submitted a public offer estimated at 200 million euros, which was rejected by PSG. In the summer of 2022, a deal seemed all but done for a free transfer, as Mbappé’s contract was set to expire in June 2022, but the Frenchman ultimately announced he was extending his contract with PSG, to the astonishment of Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid fans.
This 2022 extension (a two-year contract plus a one-year option) does not extinguish the flame. Mbappé continues to publicly express his admiration for Real Madrid, and behind-the-scenes negotiations resume as early as 2023. The internal situation at PSG deteriorates over the seasons, the sporting project and relations with the Qatari ownership become more complicated, and the prospect of a free transfer in the summer of 2024 becomes increasingly likely.
To understand Florentino Pérez’s strategy and how he has built this project over the long term, our feature on Florentino Pérez and Real Madrid details the Madrid president’s entire approach to signing world-class stars.
The official announcement on June 3, 2024
On June 3, 2024, Real Madrid officially announced on its website and social media platforms that it had signed Kylian Mbappé for the next five seasons (2024–2029). The transfer was a free move, as his contract with PSG was set to expire on June 30, 2024. The announcement sparked a wave of reactions around the world, reflecting the player’s significance in contemporary European soccer.
The financial terms of the contract have not been officially disclosed by the club, but estimates in the sports media suggest a substantial annual salary, supplemented by a significant signing bonus. The deal is advantageous for Real Madrid, which is not paying any transfer fee and is investing solely in the payroll, unlike the record set by PSG in 2017.
The presentation at the Bernabéu
On July 16, 2024, Real Madrid held the official presentation of Kylian Mbappé at the Santiago Bernabéu. The event was broadcast live in more than 100 countries, and over 75,000 fans packed the stands of the renovated stadium to attend the ceremony. Florentino Pérez delivers a speech highlighting the symbolic significance of the transfer, and Mbappé dons the white jersey for the first time, with the number 9 emblazoned on the back.
The choice of the number 9 is no coincidence. It was previously worn by Ronaldo Nazário (1996–2001), Karim Benzema during certain seasons, and most recently by Joselu in 2023–2024. It is the symbolic number of the center forward at Real Madrid, and Mbappé wanted to wear it for his first season, thereby signaling his commitment to taking on that role in the team’s offensive play under Carlo Ancelotti.
To understand how this presentation atmosphere fits into a long-standing Real Madrid tradition, our feature on Real Madrid’s Galácticos looks back at the historic presentations of Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo Nazário, Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other major signings by the club.
The first season: 39 goals and a record
Kylian Mbappé's 2024–2025 season with Real Madrid ended with 39 goals across all competitions. A total that surpasses the record held since 1995-1996 by Iván Zamorano (37 goals) for the most goals scored by a newcomer in his first season with the club. A performance that lives up to the immense expectations placed on his shoulders from the moment he arrived.
Mbappé also finished as the top scorer in La Liga for the 2024–2025 season and won the European Golden Boot, an award given to the top scorer in Europe’s domestic leagues, weighted by the UEFA coefficient. His standout performances in the league contrasted with a more mixed run in Europe, as Real Madrid were eliminated in the semifinals or quarterfinals (depending on the season) of the Champions League that year.
How he fits in alongside Vinícius Júnior, another of the club’s star forwards, is one of the key issues of the season. Carlo Ancelotti and then Xabi Alonso (depending on changes to the roster and coaching staff) have had to organize an attacking system that allows these two players to coexist without getting in each other’s way. Mbappé has demonstrated his ability to play both centrally and on the left wing, which facilitates tactical coordination with his teammates.
The transition to number 10 in 2025–2026
Starting with the 2025–2026 season, Kylian Mbappé will wear the number 10 for Real Madrid. This change is symbolic: the number 10 is traditionally reserved for creative playmakers and key offensive players (Zinédine Zidane wore it from 2001 to 2006, followed by Luka Modrić). For Mbappé, it is a sign that his offensive responsibility is now that of a full-fledged attacking leader.
The number 10 will become available in the summer of 2025 when Luka Modrić’s contract expires and he leaves the club after thirteen memorable seasons. This transition is part of a generational shift at Real Madrid, as several long-time veterans (Toni Kroos in 2024, Modrić in 2025) have retired or moved to other clubs, making way for a new generation centered around Bellingham, Vinícius, and now Mbappé.
As for the kit manufacturer, the Mbappé-named jersey is one of the best-selling items in the Real Madrid 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 collections. The rotation between the number 9 (first season) and the number 10 (current season) creates distinct collectible items that are particularly popular with international fans. To understand the evolution of the club’s jersey over the decades, our feature on the history of the Real Madrid jersey traces 120 years of evolution.
A new era for Real Madrid
Mbappé’s arrival marks a generational shift at Real Madrid. The era of Cristiano Ronaldo (who left in 2018), followed by Karim Benzema (who left for Saudi Arabia in 2023), then Toni Kroos (retiring in 2024) and Luka Modrić (leaving in 2025) is coming to a definitive close. The new core revolves around Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham (who joined in 2023), Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, and now Mbappé up front.
The club’s stated ambition remains unchanged: to dominate Europe by winning titles and to firmly establish Real Madrid at the pinnacle of world soccer. The club’s recent record (its fifteenth Champions League title, won in 2024 under Ancelotti) confirms the validity of the long-term sports strategy. Mbappé is therefore joining an already successful team, which he must help sustain at the highest level.
For Mbappé himself, his time at Real Madrid is part of a personal journey deeply shaped by his quest for the Ballon d’Or, which he has yet to win at this stage of his career. His individual and collective goal at the Bernabéu is clear: to win the Champions League in the white jersey and secure his place among the greatest players in the history of the Madrid club.
Key Takeaways
- Kylian Mbappé, born on December 20, 1998, in Paris and trained at Bondy, then at Clairefontaine and Monaco, joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 after seven years with PSG.
- The official announcement was made on June 3, 2024, and he was introduced at the Santiago Bernabéu on July 16, 2024, in front of more than 75,000 fans.
- He wore the number 9 during his first season in 2024–2025, before switching to the number 10 starting in 2025–2026.
- His first season ended with 39 goals across all competitions, surpassing the record held since the 1995–96 season by Iván Zamorano (37 goals).
- Mbappé won the European Golden Boot and finished as La Liga's top scorer in his first season.
- With the French national team, he won the 2018 World Cup (at age 19), was a finalist in 2022 (scoring a hat trick in the final), and has been captain since 2023.
- His arrival is part of a generational transition at Real Madrid, following the departures of Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Kroos, and Modrić.
Learn more
Mbappé’s arrival continues Real Madrid’s long tradition of global superstars. To explore other aspects of the club, we recommend our features on Real Madrid’s Galácticos, Florentino Pérez and his strategy, the 2016–2018 European treble that preceded his generation, and the history of the Real Madrid jersey he wears today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mbappé join Real Madrid?
The official announcement of Kylian Mbappé’s signing with Real Madrid took place on June 3, 2024, for a five-year contract (2024–2029). His official presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu was held on July 16, 2024, in front of more than 75,000 fans.
How much did Real Madrid pay for Mbappé?
The transfer was completed on a free basis, as Mbappé’s contract with PSG expires on June 30, 2024. No transfer fee was paid to the Parisian club. Real Madrid only paid for his salary and signing bonus.
What number does Mbappé wear at Real Madrid?
Mbappé wore the number 9 jersey during his first season in 2024–2025, following in the footsteps of the club’s legendary center forwards. Starting with the 2025–2026 season, he switched to the number 10 jersey, which became available following Luka Modrić’s departure after thirteen seasons.
How did Mbappé's first season go?
He finished his first season with 39 goals across all competitions, breaking the record set by Iván Zamorano (37 goals) in the 1995–96 season for a debut season at Real Madrid. He won the European Golden Shoe and finished as La Liga’s top scorer.
Why did Mbappé choose Real Madrid?
Ever since he was a child, Mbappé had expressed his admiration for Real Madrid, whose posters he had hanging in his room in Bondy. The club’s sporting vision, its European ambitions, and its structure—which is well-suited to star players—aligned with his long-term career goals.
The Mbappé-printed jersey and the entire Real Madrid collection: check it out here
All Real Madrid jerseys are available in our store: home, away, third, player edition, fan edition, and jerseys with Mbappé’s number 10 or any other player from the current roster.