REAL MADRID’S iconic Bernabeu stadium looks unrecognisable as they prepare to unveil Kylian Mbappe as their newest superstar.
Mbappe finally put an end to one of the most drawn out transfer sagas in football last season when he confirmed his PSG exit after seven years in the French capital.
And football’s worst-kept secret was soon announced with the forward signing for Madrid.
Mbappe is set to be officially unveiled as a Los Blancos player on Tuesday, July 16.
And footage shared by, Spanish outlet AS, revealed the Bernabeu transforming ahead of the big day.
Grass was only fitted on one side of the ground but fans are expected to pack into the 80,000-seater stadium to welcome Mbappe.
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The event has been dubbed a “never-seen-before” presentation, set to rival iconic ones in the past.
Luis Figo, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo all received similar welcomes when they joined Madrid.
Mbappe is also set to show off his new No9 shirt – with his favoured No7 and No10 already occupied.
Ronaldo also wore the No9 in his first season in Madrid as No7 was still being worn by Raul.
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Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood star
By Gerard Couzens
KYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.
The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.
Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.
And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.
La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.
But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”
Read more on Mbappe’s property hunt.
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But the Portugal icon inherited it a year later and became synonymous with it.
Mbappe arrives in Spain off the back of an unsuccessful Euro 2024 campaign where he scored just one goal, from the penalty spot, as France crashed out in the semis to eventual winners Spain.
The 25-year-old suffered a brutal nose injury just one game into the tournament in Germany and was forced to wear a mask almost throughout.
Madrid staff are still said to be unclear on how Mbappe has recovered as he prepares to start pre-season ahead of the upcoming campaign.
How Kylian Mbappe’s incredible seven-year body transformation propelled skinny teen into world’s best player
By Etienne Fermie
KYLIAN MBAPPE has entered his physical prime as he has FINALLY rubber-stamped his free transfer move to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old has grown from a boy to a man in Ligue 1, first with Monaco and then with current side Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe debuted for Monaco as a skinny 16-year-old in 2015.
He even featured as a scrawny youngster against Tottenham at the old White Hart Lane that year, before fans realised what an icon he would become.
The following season, Mbappe really rose to superstardom as Monaco reached the Champions League semi-finals.
In a throwback snap shared earlier this week, an 18-year-old Mbappe could be seen chatting to a reporter after grabbing a Champions League brace against Borussia Dortmund in April 2017.
Read more on Mbappe’s incredible rise on and off the field.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
