Kylian Mbappe to continue incredible career with Real Madrid

Mbappé's move to Madrid fulfills a long-standing ambition. The 25-year-old French national team captain, who grew up a fan of Real Madrid and even took Spanish lessons as a teenager, has been linked with the club for years, nearly joining them when he left Monaco in 2017 and again in 2022 before opting to stay at PSG.

Currently on international duty with France, Mbappé is expected to be presented at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after the 2024 Euros. Speaking with French President Emmanuel Macron at France's training camp, Mbappé hinted that the move would be announced by Real Madrid on Monday evening. 

Having already secured a residence in Madrid, Mbappé purchased the former home of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale in the exclusive La Finca development on the city's outskirts.

Mbappé leaves PSG as the club's all-time leading scorer with 256 goals. Despite PSG's Ligue 1 victory this past season, they were eliminated in the Champions League semifinals. In contrast, Real Madrid clinched both La Liga and their 15th European Cup by defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley. 

Mbappé, a sports icon in France, is renowned for his national team achievements, including scoring four goals in the 2018 FIFA Men's World Cup, helping France secure the title and earning the Best Young Player Award. In the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup, he won the Golden Boot with eight goals, nearly leading France to another title, losing to Argentina in the final despite his hat trick.

Now, he will join forces with the 23-year-old Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior and the 20-year-old English midfielder Jude Bellingham, forming a dynamic attacking trio with the potential to rival legendary Madrid lineups for a place among the club's greatest of all time. 

Before uniting with Real Madrid next season, Mbappé will lead France into the highly competitive 2024 UEFA European Championship. Additionally, Mbappé has expressed a desire to lead France's men's soccer team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, pending permission from Real Madrid. 

Macron's only comment upon the news of Mbappé's departure from PSG last month was to urge Real Madrid to grant its incoming star that permission.