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The saga is finally over—superstar forward Kylian Mbappé is officially a member of La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid.
“A dream come true,” he wrote on social media. “So happy and proud to join the club of my dreams, Real Madrid. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!”
Kylian Mbappé @KMbappe
Un sueño hecho realidad. <br>Muy feliz y orgulloso de formar parte del club de mis sueños <a href=”https://twitter.com/realmadrid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@realmadrid</a> Es imposible explicar lo feliz y emocionado que me siento en este momento. Estoy impaciente por veros, Madridistas, y gracias por vuestro increíble apoyo. <br>¡Hala Madrid! 🤍🤍🤍 <br><br>A… <a href=”https://t.co/YTumusAXT6″>pic.twitter.com/YTumusAXT6</a>
The Mbappé-to-Madrid drama has been a winding tale.
In 2017, the 25-year-old was reportedly close to joining Los Blancos after his time at Monaco but instead decided to join PSG for a €180 million ($196 million) transfer fee. He went on to star with PSG and led France to a World Cup title in 2018 and a berth in the final in 2022, where he lost to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
In May 2022—amidst long-running rumors that Real Madrid were in a full-out blitz to sign him—Mbappé instead re-signed with PSG, shocking the soccer world. Real Madrid had reportedly offered PSG a $188 million transfer fee in 2021, but PSG turned down the offer and eventually retained the superstar.
“It was more than just staying at PSG. It was the World Cup in Qatar. It was many things around these things,” Mbappé told Amanda Davies, Aleks Klosok and Martin Bourke of CNN.com about spurning Real Madrid in 2022. “It was a big decision, difficult decision… but I don’t regret anything.”
This summer Mbappé is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer.
While he won six Ligue 1 titles in seven seasons, he never was able to help PSG earn the ultimate prize, a Champions League title. The Parisian giants have never conquered Europe, and the hope was Mbappé would lead them there.
It wasn’t to be, while Real Madrid have won three UCL titles since the 2017-18 season.
Now, one of the top superstars in world football will be joining arguably the most iconic club in the world. This particular marriage was a long time in the making.