Kylian Mbape is now fully a Real Madrid player, even if they haven't added him to the squad's Whatsapp group yet, as the Frenchman humorously revealed in his first press conference as a footballer for the record-breaking Champions League club.
A conference where he showed his emotions, but also his ambitions to win everything with this club.
What are the efforts that Florentino Perez talked about?
It is a privilege for me to be here, I have long dreamed of this moment and now it has become a reality. It's a dream and dreams don't pay, they don't have a price. It is a great pleasure. for me and my family, who know how much effort I have put in at different stages. Now I want to think about the present, I want to meet the boys and the coach to start.
What was the exact moment you decided to join Real Madrid?
Like I've said since I was a kid… It's always been my dream, then it became a goal when I turned pro. I knew that one day I would become a Real Madrid footballer, from my point of view I decided when I was a child.
How do you imagine the first season and what are your goals? In the past you were close to Real Madrid...
I arrive humbly at the best club in the world. I definitely have ambition, then humility and sacrifice. I want to fit in right away, then everything will be easier. I play in a fantastic team. I was close to signing for Real 2-3 years ago, but that's part of a footballer's life, the past is behind us, now I'm here and I want to enjoy every second.
Which one will be yours on the field?
I will play where the coach asks me. I can play in the front three, the only thing that matters is that I feel good physically, where I play is a detail. For me it is not a fundamental point or a point of debate. I spoke to Ancelotti this morning, it doesn't matter where he puts me to play.
It is an important moment for you. How did you experience this period and finally arriving at Real Madrid?
I had a lot of pressure on me, I want to take advantage of every moment and enjoy it all. The love that people have given me so far is incredible and that's important. I am grateful for that, I will try to give everything to return what they are giving me. It is important to have this connection with the public.
Have you imagined anything for your new friends?
I spoke today at Valdebebas with Ancelotti, but we didn't talk about tactics. I want to play with everyone, you talked about Vinicius and Bellingam, but at Real Madrid they are all the best. Today I met some teammates, I faced them many times and now it's different because I'm part of the team.
Your first memory of Real Madrid?
I have a lot. But the first is Zidane. In France he is an important person, I followed every match of his. Then my idol Cristiano Ronaldo, I haven't missed any of his matches. I was a kid who had a dream and now he's pitching for his favorite team, it's a privilege I love every moment because it's a day I'll remember forever.
What do you think you can give to such a successful team?
Real is a winning team and I want to contribute with my qualities. I will try to give what the team needs, it will be exciting to train here.
Was there a moment when you thought your dream of playing for Real Madrid would not come true?
No, I was sure the time would come. For me, Real Madrid was the only option, despite having many offers. I know that I am a good player and that there were many teams after me, but in my head there was only Real and after PSG I only thought about coming here.
What is your plan for the next few weeks?
I am in contact with the staff, in the coming days they will give me the necessary information. Then I will take a few days off before making myself available to the club.
What happened that made Perez realize your dream?
He trusted me from day one. He was always loved, knowing that your boss loves you and cares is important especially if you start a new phase. Everyone did a perfect job of making sure I could get here.
Who were the teammates who insisted the most?
The French definitely… They kept telling me to come to Madrid. Then Vinicius wrote to me... The fact that such players love you is good, but they didn't need to tell me.
What would change in your approach to being at your best physically?
I have already changed the people who work with me. I talked about the program with Pintus this morning so that I can be ready as soon as possible. The next season will be even longer with 7 competitions, special preparation will be needed to resist. I will try to be constant and always work well.
In 2022, criticism came from Real fans...
It's part of football, but the truth is that the love they've given me since I arrived is incredible. I wasn't officially a Real Madrid player yet and yet they had already showered me with love. Now I want to wear the jersey. I want to do good things for the fans, for the world of Madrid and for my family.
Are you going to get a nose job? Will you be at the Super Cup against Atalanta on August 14?
We talked to the doctors this morning, we are waiting for the results to understand the right path. I hope to play in the Super Cup, but it's not just up to me. I will try to be ready for August 14th. It would be my first game and a potential first title, but ask the coach the question….
Did you think about Real Madrid even during your PSG days?
When I played for PSG, I only thought about my team, nothing else. Now my defense against Real Madrid will begin, this is the life of a footballer.
Do you feel the weight of the Real Madrid shirt?
I felt the weight of this shirt, but for me it is a privilege. I have the opportunity to play here after two other big clubs like Monaco and PSG, but now I am among the biggest in the world. It is a great pleasure to be here and I hope I am worthy of this club.
Have you spoken to CR7? Did he give you any advice?
He was and will remain my idol. I am lucky enough to be his friend now, we are always in touch. He made Real Madrid history, he tells me to work and always be connected to the game with passion. The last period was difficult for him, but I repeat: nothing changes, look at what he left here at Real Madrid.
Can you, Vinicius and Rodrigo fit together?
Vini is a unique, exceptional player, I am happy to play with him and Rodrigo. Great players always want to play together, I don't think we will have any problem doing that. Last season was perfect, I will adapt as soon as possible to help the team win.
You have already won practically everything... However, you are missing the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or...
There is no better place than this club to win trophies. I want to fit in with the team because that's the key, if I'm good, everything else will follow.
What were the obstacles on your way to Real Madrid?
Like I said, a lot of things happen in football. But I'm not looking back, I'm happy to finally be here, at the best club in the world. It is a great pleasure for me.
Many imagined you with the number 10...
Who says I wanted number 10?! Number 10 is Modric, a Ballon d'Or winner who won everything with Real Madrid. I am proud to be with him and share this experience with him. I don't care about the jersey number, I look ahead, I look at the opponent's goal, then I can have 9, 10, 22 or 48, I don't care. It's an honor to wear this number, but it's not important to me.
What did Zidane tell you?
It was 2012 when he invited me here, it was a dream for me. I had an incredible joy in my heart, it was a moment in my life that allowed me to continue. I saw everything about Real Madrid, starting with the introduction of CR7. That's why I appeal to children, because they too can make their dreams come true with a little luck.
Why do you know Spanish so well?
I started speaking it at school, I always tried to give my best because I knew that one day I would fulfill my dream to be here. I will definitely get better. Then I had Pochettino, Luis Enrique, many Spanish-speaking friends who helped me...
Breaks CR7's public launch record…
I would never have believed it. Every time I came here I felt the warmth, I was received very well, with love and support. I will try to give something back to the fans. It was nice for me to feel this warmth.
What did your Real Madrid teammates say?
Everyone has always told me that there is no club like Real Madrid. There are many big clubs, but coming here is a unique experience and I wanted to live this opportunity. I've only been here for a day, but I've seen the passion people here have and how they manage to convey it.
Did you watch any games from last season?
I have watched all the Real Madrid matches, but now I am here and I want to know my teammates. How they want to receive the ball, how they are on the court, how to serve them... I pay attention to details, I want to know individual personalities. I want to stay here, adapt, settle and make sure this team wins more and more, so I will live my dream 100%.
When was the exact moment when you realized that you would become a Real Madrid player?
I'm not in the squad Whatsapp group yet… I found out today because today I signed the contract, there's no going back now.
What did you think this morning when you woke up knowing you were going to sign for Real Madrid? Are you going to the United States on tour?
This morning I woke up but only slept for an hour. I got up and tried to enjoy every moment, it was what I wanted. Much more has happened than I imagined, I repeat it often because it really is and for me I don't have enough words to describe it all. As for the tournament, we will see with the coach and the staff. I will do what they ask me.
Do you have any specific goals for the first season?
My objectives are not different from those of the club. Real Madrid is a club that needs to win titles, it is a club that had won before me and I want it to continue to do so with me. Speaking of goals I can say that it is a mistake to set a number for yourself, you should not limit yourself. If many come, great. If there are more assists than goals, that will be good too. And obviously we want to win all the trophies. Maybe we can say that we are favorites for the Champions League, but Real Madrid is always the favorite for the Champions League. But then in the end only the field matters.
There has been a lot of talk about the introduction of Endrik in the upcoming season. What do you expect from him?
I know his reputation, which is very important. But I haven't seen him play much. I know that he scores and that he is a great talent, that he is young and that there is pressure because he already plays for Brazil. He certainly has a lot to learn, if he needs advice or help I will be there for him because I know what it means to be at this level as a young player. He will score a lot for Real Madrid.
When you were getting ready to enter the field, what were you thinking?
I was watching the presentation, the clip for me. I felt a bit of pressure, but I just wanted to do it and be natural. It was a great day for me, my family and I hope also for the club and all the fans.