How does Ronaldo influence you? Are you inspired by him?
Mbappe: “Ronaldo has always been my idol. I am lucky because he is now a friend of mine. We have a lot of connections and he gives me a lot of advice. Ronaldo told me to work hard, to maintain my passion for football. I know Ronaldo had a hard time at the last EURO but we hugged each other.”
Did you come to Real Madrid for the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or?
Mbappe: “There is no better place than Real Madrid to win titles. But the important thing is to adapt well. If I do that, the rest will come naturally. Winning everything is the goal, but that is in the long term. Now I want to get back to training and adapt to the team.”
Mbappe answers press conference after Real Madrid debut
Do you have any goals or trophies? Do you think you will win the Champions League?
Mbappe: “My goal is the same as Real Madrid’s: to win everything. The club did it without me, but I hope we can do it together. Talking about goals is a mistake. There is no need to set limits. If I have to score a lot of goals, I will do it, if I have to assist, great. This is the best club in the world. Real Madrid is always a strong candidate to win the Champions League.”
What do you share about the efforts to join Real Madrid?
Mbappe: “I feel rewarded. It was my dream since I was a kid and I waited for this moment for a long time. Now my dream has come true. You don’t pay for dreams. My dream was to become a Real Madrid player and now I have succeeded. It’s a great joy for me and my family. They know the effort I had to put in to get here. I’m very happy.”
When exactly did you decide to sign for Real Madrid?
Mbappe: “When I was a kid. The decision was easy. First it was my dream and then my goal. I knew it was my destiny to play for Madrid and that it would come one day. Now I am lucky that that day has come.”
What was your goal when you came to Real Madrid? What happened 2 years ago?
Mbappe: “I come with humility because this is the best club in the world, but I have ambition. Those are the values for the club. But the priority now is to adapt to the team, to the collective. When that happens, everything will be easier.
I was close to joining Real Madrid in 2022, and also in 2021. But now I don’t think about the past anymore, a lot has happened, I only think about the present and the future.”
Bernabeu stadium packed with spectators at Mbappe’s unveiling
Where do you feel most comfortable in attack?
Mbappe: “Any position the coach wants. I can play in three positions in attack. I did it at PSG, Monaco and the French national team. That is a detail that the press is interested in, but for me it is not a matter of discussion. I do not care what position I play. What I want is to contribute to Real Madrid”.
Do you want to play with someone special? Have you spoken to coach Ancelotti?
Mbappe: “I spoke with the coach this morning at the Valdebebas training centre but nothing tactical. I am looking forward to playing with players like Vinicius, Bellingham… They are great players, the other Real Madrid players. I met some of my teammates this morning and I am very happy to be a Real Madrid player.”
Was there ever a time when you thought you wouldn’t make it to Real Madrid?
Mbappe: “No, I am sure that the time will come. I have had many offers from other clubs, but I have always refused. When I leave PSG, I will go to Real Madrid. In my head it is very clear. It is my dream. Many things can happen in football , but for me this is very clear.”
How are you doing?
Mbappe: “I am ready to go out on the pitch. The team will give me more information in the next few days. When I return on training, I will be ready to help the team.”
Are you having nose surgery? Are you playing in the Super Cup?
Mbappe: “I spoke with the club’s medical team this morning and we’ll wait for the results. Then I’ll know what to do. I’ll definitely play in the European Super Cup but it depends on the coach. I’ll be ready. It’ll be my first trophy and I want to play. But that’s a question for the coach (laughs).”
Which Real Madrid player has fascinated you the most?
Mbappe: “The French players at Real Madrid told me that a lot. Vinicius even texted me saying, ‘Come to Real Madrid, we will score goals together.’ I didn’t need those messages to know that it was the best team in the world, but it was nice to feel loved.”
