June 2024 will be remembered warmly by Real Madrid fans. On the first day of the month, they defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium to become European champions for the record 15th time. As winners of La Liga and Europe’s biggest club competition, Los Blancos fans all over the world had reason to celebrate this season. The fact that they then signed the world’s most coveted footballer was the icing on the cake.
Finally, Kylian Mbappe has joined Real Madrid. After confirming that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract this year, it was widely expected that the France star would sign with the team he almost joined two years ago. The deal has now been completed.
On June 3, Real Madrid announced that they had signed Kylian Mbappe to a five-year contract. Officially, it is a free transfer: the forward’s contract with PSG expired, making him a free agent. Of all, this transaction still comes at a significant cost to Europe’s 15-time kings. According to BBC Sport, Mbappe’s Madrid contract is for €15 million net every season, or around €288,000 per week. That’s a significant dip in his PSG wages, but it’s understandable.
Madrid has yet to reveal the number that will adorn the back of Mbappe’s shirt. He donned the No.7 jersey at PSG and is likely to do the same in Spain to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo, one of his inspirations. However, Vinicius Junior currently wears that jersey, and it appears unlikely that the club will ask him to give it up. There is no incumbent No. 9 at Madrid, so Mbappe will most likely wear that shirt number in 2024/25.
Mbappe’s next assignment is Euro 2024 with France, where he hopes to win the championship for the first time. His Real Madrid debut will come during the preseason. Their first friendly match is now scheduled for July 31 against AC Milan at Soldier Field in Chicago. Madrid would most likely want Mbappe to be available for the first preseason tour match.
His first competitive game for his new club is unknown because La Liga has yet to reveal its fixture list for next season, although it is possible that Mbappe may play in the UEFA Super Cup before the Spanish top-flight: Madrid will meet Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw, Poland on August 14.
