Real Madrid fans will have to wait even longer for Kylian Mbappé’s debut after he was officially presented this week.
The French superstar was gloriously unveiled in front of 80,000 Real Madrid fans and their 15 Champions League trophies at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
The forward beamed as he spoke about joining the ‘club of his dreams’ after being cheered by a performance from Andrea Bocelli, an extended montage of his highlights and a speech from club president Florentino Perez.
Madrid fans waited years to see Mbappe in the famous white shirt after previous attempts by the club to lure him away from PSG failed.
They will have to wait a little longer to see him in action as he is not part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad touring the United States.
Kylian Mbappe was unveiled as a Real Madrid player in front of 80,000 fans on Tuesday
However, Madrid fans will have to wait a little longer to see the Frenchman in action
Mbappe broke his nose during France’s opening match of Euro 2024 against Austria on June 17
Rather than undergo surgery that could have ruled him out of the remainder of the tournament, Mbappé returned to the field eight days later wearing a protective mask.
The 25-year-old admitted he didn’t like the mask and didn’t wear it at all during France’s final match at the European Championship, which they lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-finals.
And after checks by doctors in Madrid it was decided that the Frenchman does not need an operation, according to ALS.
His new club travel to the United States for three friendlies – against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea in early August – but he will not be there because it is deemed “reckless”.
Mbappe, like Real Madrid’s other French players, is expected to get an extended rest period after their strong performances at the European Championship.
Mbappe broke his nose during the European Championship, but doctors have decided he does not need surgery
Madrid’s first competitive match of the 2024-25 season is scheduled for August 14, when they take on Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final in Warsaw. Mbappé is expected to make his debut then.
“I would really like to play that first game in a Real Madrid shirt, but this question should really be put to the manager,” Mbappé told reporters.