On Tuesday, Kylian Mbappe's unveiling at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu was indeed a spectacle.
The French superstar drew a packed stadium of fans, eager to see their new hero.
Mbappe's actions during the ceremony reminded many of Cristiano Ronaldo's presentation years ago.
Fans quickly started comparing Mbappé and Ronaldo's presentation.
Social media was filled with side-by-side clips of both players’ presentations.
One fan commented, "Mbappé watched Cristiano Ronaldo’s presentation the night before."
Another remarked, "He wants to be like Cristiano Ronaldo so badly! He is a proper fanboy."
Let's look into three key moments that showed this similarity.
1. The Ritual "Hala Madrid" Chant
https://youtu.be/RjM6ui_deBE
Mbappe replicated the Real Madrid tradition chants by leading a passionate "¡Hala Madrid!" chant.
This iconic cheer was also part of Ronaldo's presentation.
The crowd roared in response, showing their excitement and support for Mbappe, which further solidified the connection between the two stars.
2. The Massive Fan Turnout
The Santiago Bernabéu was packed with 80,000 fans, matching the massive crowd that welcomed Ronaldo in his 2009 unveiling.
This impressive turnout highlights the high expectations and enthusiasm surrounding Mbappe.
The atmosphere in the stadium was exhilarating as eager fans awaited the Mbappé presentation.
Like Ronaldo, Mbappé drew energy from the crowd, waving and smiling to show his appreciation.
The presentation was grand, featuring a 360-degree scoreboard showcasing Mbappé's highlights, a runway, and the club's impressive collection of 15 Champions League trophies.
3. Kissing the Club Crest
A powerful moment during the Mbappe Real Madrid unveiling was when Mbappe kissed the club's crest.
This gesture showed his love and commitment to Real Madrid, similar to Ronaldo's heartfelt actions.
Mbappe kisses the Real Madrid club crest | YT
Mbappe repeated this gesture multiple times, showing his passion for the club.
It was a clear sign to the fans that he was ready to give his all for Madrid. Mbappe endeared to the supporters, proving he understands the club's values and traditions.
4. Wearing the No. 9 Jersey
Both Mbappe and Ronaldo share the iconic No. 9 jersey for Real Madrid.
Although Ronaldo would later create history with the number 7 jersey, Mbappe's choice to wear this jersey aligns him with Ronaldo's legacy.
It sets high expectations but also signals his readiness to meet them.
The number 9 has a storied history at Real Madrid, and Mbappe's acceptance of it shows his ambition to be among the club's legends.
Family and Foundation Support
During Mbappe's unveiling, it wasn't just about him. His family and children from his 'Inspired by KM' foundation were also there, adding a personal touch similar to Ronaldo's presentation, where family played a significant role.
Florentino Pérez, the club president, spoke warmly about Mbappe's journey and his dream of wearing the white jersey.
Florentino Pérez's Words
Florentino Pérez's speech during the Mbappé presentation drew comparisons to his words for Ronaldo.
He spoke of Mbappe's dream to join Real Madrid and the challenges he overcame to make it happen.
Pérez's praise for Mbappe's determination and perseverance mirrored his sentiments about Ronaldo.
"The time has come to welcome an exceptional player who is here to help us continue winning. A player who is fulfilling his lifelong dream. Welcome Kylian Mbappé," Pérez said.
Perfect Spanish Speech
Mbappé's speech during the Mbappé presentation was another highlight.
He began by addressing the crowd in Spanish, saying, "Good morning, everyone. I'm going to try to speak in Spanish. Wow, it's incredible to be here. I've dreamt for many years of playing for Real Madrid, and today my dream is coming true. I'm a very happy boy today. Very happy."
His efforts to speak Spanish won over the fans, who appreciated his attempt to connect with them in their language.
The former PSG forward thanked Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, and everyone who worked to bring him to the club.
He acknowledged the challenges and expressed his joy at finally being a Real Madrid player.
"Thanks to President Florentino Pérez, who has believed in me from day one. Many things have happened. And to all the people who have worked to get me here. I know it's been difficult, but I'm here, I'm a Real Madrid player, and my whole family is happy, with my mom crying...," he continued.
Mbappé's choice to sign with Real Madrid was seen as the missing piece needed for Carlo Ancelotti to create a team capable of dominating European football.
His commitment to joining Real Madrid was evident when he accepted a reduced salary from his previous earnings at Paris Saint-Germain.
He agreed to a five-year contract with a substantial signing-on fee and a favorable share of image rights, deviating from the typical 50-50 split imposed on new players.