Madrid, Spain

Kylian Mbappe’s dream of being a Real Madrid player was finally made official on Monday (June 3) as the star Frenchman completed his move on a free transfer. Mabppe, who idolises Cristiano Ronaldo will follow the footsteps of the Portugal great and will don the whites of Real Madrid from the 2024-25 season. After the move, Ronaldo took to his social media and greeted the French forward with a text that caught the attention of the internet.

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Ronaldo greets Mbappe

After the move was announced, the 39-year-old commented on Mbappe’s Instagram post which stated – “My turn to be excited to see you light up the Bernabeu.”

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Although a free transfer, it is reported that Real Madrid will pay a signing-on amount of $100 million to the Frenchman. The deal is the most expensive signing-on fee as the Los Blancos prepare for a new era of Galacticos.

Mbappe has idolised Ronaldo since his teenage days and even posed with him during a meeting. However, he will be the next generation of stars in the Spanish capital carrying the baton with the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and others.

Like Ronaldo in his first season with Real Madrid, Mbappe will also wear No. 9 as the player’s first choice No. 10 kit is not available. Ronaldo took the No. 9 shirt during the 2009-10 season when Raul Gonzalez was still at the club wearing No.7.

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Luka Modric is reported to have signed a new deal and will continue wearing the No.10 at least till the end of the 2024-25 season. He is expected to announce his club retirement at the end of the next season.

Since the 2009-10 season, Karim Benzema took the No. 9 kit until he left the club in 2022 for the Saudi Pro League. Other famous names to wear the No. 9 include Alfredo di Stéfano, Davor Suker and Vicente del Bosque.

As things stand, Vinicius Jr will wear No.7, Rodrygo No.11, Federico Valverde No.15 while Jude Bellingham will have his number 5.

Real Madrid continue dominance

The current European champions will also add Brazilian attacker Endrick to their ranks in the coming days after completing his transfer in the January transfer window. They will only get stronger as their squad age will be a big factor in the years to come. Real Madrid will be expected to be the favourites to win the Champions League in the 2024-25 season with the firepower they will have at their disposal.