Kylian Mbappe has finally achieved his childhood dream of joining the biggest club in the world, Real Madrid. The 25-year-old has pledged his future to the European champions upon the expiry of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain. Mbappe will officially join up with Carlo Ancelotti‘s squad following France’s run at the UEFA Euro 2024.
The journey between Mbappe and Madrid could have begun two years earlier in 2022. At that time too, the Frenchman was about to run down his contract with PSG and was expected to join the Spanish giants. However, the striker took a surprising call to renew his contract, leaving Florentino Perez dejected. Two years down the line, the decision has turned out to benefit Real Madrid massively, and here is a look at why.
Real Madrid have assembled the most talented squad in the world
Kylian Mbappe was close to moving to Real Madrid even in the summer of 2021 with a deal falling during the last days of the window. Madrid acted swiftly to sign Eduardo Camavinga that summer for a bargain. Following the failed deal in 2022, Florentino Perez ensured to not let PSG get the better of them again by securing the signing of long-term Paris target, Aurelien Tchouameni.
The saved funds from the unsuccessful deal of Kylian Mbappe have allowed the Madrid hierarchy to re-invest the amount in other world-class talents. Los Blancos signed Jude Bellingham for an amount well over $100 million in 2023, and will now acquire their long-term target. Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. Perez has slowly but surely displayed his prowess to act smart in the transfer market.
Mbappe’s signing has been completed on Real Madrid’s terms
The 15-time Champions League winners were reportedly ready to offer Kylian Mbappe a contract in 2022, which was by a long distance the most lucrative in the club’s history. His potential salary would have amounted to around $27 million annually, with a hefty signing-on fee as well as a majority of the image rights.
This time though, Madrid’s terms were way lower with a yearly salary of $16.2 million and a $108 million signing-on bonus spread over his five-year contract. The club intended to keep Mbappe’s package in line with high-earning stars like Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham. Florentino Perez was adamant to welcome Mbappe only on his terms, to which the French captain duly obliged.
Kylian Mbappe arrives more hungry than ever
In 2022, it was a common feeling that Real Madrid was in dire need of Kylian Mbappe. The club’s forward line was heavily dependent on Karim Benzema, with youngsters like Vini Jr. and Rodrygo still far away from reliable options in front of goal. Mbappe, on the other hand, enjoyed one of his best-ever seasons in 2021/22 scoring 39 goals and providing 26 assists.
Kylian Mbappe, unfortunately, has not been able to enjoy the heights in his club career that he would have dreamt of. The consensus currently is that the 25-year-old needs Madrid more than the club needs him. His desire to be considered amongst the best ever can be fulfilled at the Santiago Bernabeu which motivates him to join his dream club with ever more ambition to unleash his best.