It was the summer's biggest transfer in the football world when it became official that Kylian Mbappé, who was sitting on an expiring contract, leaves Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid.
The Spanish giant club had tried to recruit the Frenchman for several years and when the 25-year-old was welcomed in mid-July, over 70,000 Real Madrid supporters were in place at the Santiago Bernabéu arena in the capital.
Felled by Hien
Mbappé got a vacation after the semifinal exit in the European Championship – where he broke his nose in the opening match – and was in training with his new team for the first time a week ago.
It did not prevent coach Carlo Ancelotti from sending the striker into the starting eleven in the season's first competitive match. When the Champions League winner faced Europa League winner Atalanta in the super cup final, the 25-year-old was found in the attack alongside Vinícius Junior and Rodrygo.
It took two and a half minutes before Mbappé hit the grass on the Polish national arena in Warsaw. This after the Swedish national team defender Isak Hien had fallen out with a light tackle.
This would, however, become Mbappé's and Real Madrid's evening. After Federico Valverde had given the Spaniards the lead in the 57th minute, 2–0 fell eleven minutes later.
Goal scorer? Kylian Mbappé, of course.
"No limits"
It was a fantastic evening, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time, says the 25-year-old to Movistar according to the news agency AFP.
The Frenchman was asked if he aims for 50 goals this season in his new club.
We are Real Madrid, there are no limits for us. But what is most important is to win and to improve as a team, because we win as a team.
After 83 minutes on the pitch, Kylian Mbappé thanked and after the final signal, he got to celebrate his first title in the Real Madrid jersey.
Playing in this jersey, with this club badge and in front of these supporters. It's like a gift, says Mbappé after the 2–0 win.
On Sunday, Mallorca awaits in the La Liga premiere for Real Madrid. Atalanta plays its Serie A premiere against Lecce on Monday.
