Kylian Mbappé’s arrival at Real Madrid ended one of the longest and most talked-about sagas in recent soccer history. After so many attempts, refusals, and rumors, the Frenchman finally put on the famous white shirt last year and became one of the club’s biggest stars. What few remember is that this story could have started much earlier. The player himself revealed, in an interview with Jorge Valdano, why he didn’t join Real when he was leaving Monaco back in 2017.
The decision that delayed the dream
When Mbappé broke out at Monaco, he was the most sought-after forward in Europe. He was just 18 and already attracting interest from every major club. Real Madrid was among them. Florentino Pérez wanted him at the Bernabéu, but the young star chose a different path. “When I left Monaco at 18, I was very clear that I wanted to play… and Real Madrid had Benzema, Cristiano, and Bale. I didn’t want to sit on the bench,” he told Valdano.
The Frenchman said that even though it was his dream to play for Real Madrid, he understood that at that moment, it would be hard to get regular minutes. So he chose Paris Saint-Germain, a club that could guarantee him a starting role. At the time, his choice was seen as a risky move, but he remained confident in his decision.
From Monaco to Paris and finally Madrid
In the 2017/18 season, at 19 years old, Mbappé joined PSG and began collecting goals and trophies. They were years of national and European prominence, during which the forward established himself as one of the most influential names in world soccer. What seemed like a purely technical decision ended up shaping the path that would eventually lead him to the destination he had always wanted.
Now, as a Real Madrid player, Mbappé is living what he called a “historic moment” for both himself and the club. His first season brought individual brilliance and two trophies: the Intercontinental Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Mbappé also spoke about his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo. “Cristiano has always been a model, an example for me. I’m lucky to talk to him and get his advice. He’s helped me. At Real Madrid, he’s number one, the key player. People, even now, still dream about him. But I want to follow my own path. I hope people dream about me too,” he said.