Mbappe’s Real Madrid introduction predicted to be most impressive of all time

Mbappe will wear jersey number 9 and enter the Bernabeu under lights and fireworks. No matter how far France go at the Euro 2024, Real Madrid has set the time to introduce Mbappe, two days after the final. If France are eliminated early, Mbappe will take a few days off, or undergo a nose surgery, before going to Bernabeu.

Mbappe’s introduction ceremony is called “M-Day”, which is set to take place at 7 p.m., Madrid time. According to Diario AS, Real Madrid expects the introduction to be “the most impressive ever seen for a football player.” Mbappe is also the most anticipated and long-awaited deal that garnered massive attention from both French and Spanish media.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates after France beat Belgium 1-0 at the Euro 2024 round of 16 on July 1, 2024. Photo by Reuters

A catwalk will also be prepared for Mbappe, starting from the dressing room door to the big stage on the pitch. The 26-year-old striker will walk this path, similar to what pop star Taylor Swift did when she performed at the Bernabeu at the end of May 2024.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will conduct the introduction ceremony, along with honorary president Pirri. A 360-degree screen will show Mbappe’s career highlights, especially his 2018 World Cup win.

If over 80,000 people come to the Bernabeu as expected, Mbappe will become the player that attracts most audiences in his introduction. The current record belongs to Cristiano Ronaldo, when 75,000 fans came to see him at the Bernabeu in 2009. Coincidentally, on the day of their introduction, Ronaldo and Mbappe both wore jersey number 9.

Ronaldo and Mbappe will also face each together in the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, when Portugal play France at Volkspark in Hamburg, Germany on Friday.

Real Madrid announced the signing of Mbappe on June 2, in a brief announcement that he would sign a five-year contract. The France captain grew up in Monaco and played seven seasons at PSG before moving to Real Madrid on a free transfer. He will have to reduce his salary in Madrid in exchange for other benefits.