Kylian Mbappe: 5 Reasons Why Frenchman Has Decided to Sign for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe's long-awaited arrival at Real Madrid sparked joyous reactions in the Spanish press and amongst the club's fans on Tuesday, though the French superstar will know he must live up to his billing on the pitch.

The official announcement of the 15-times Champions League winners' latest star signing on Monday was a seismic event in Madrid.

After seven years of rumour and anticipation, Mbappe had finally landed at the "club of (his) dream".

Sports Brief looks at the key reasons why the Frenchman has decided to sign for Real Madrid.

Admiration for Zidane

From a young age, Kylian Mbappé idolized Zinedine Zidane. Born just five months after France's 1998 World Cup victory, where Zidane scored twice in the final against Brazil, Mbappé grew up hearing stories of the Marseille legend from his father.

Kylian Mbappe: How Cristiano Ronaldo reacted after Frenchman officially joined Real Madrid

Football

His dream of meeting Zidane came true twelve years ago when they took a photo together at a charity event. At 14, while nearly signing for Real Madrid, Mbappé had the chance to take a photo at Valdebebas with another idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. His childhood bedroom was adorned with posters of both icons in Madrid's colors.

Champions League Objective

In 2017, an 18-year-old Mbappé helped Monaco reach the Champions League semi-finals, catching the attention of Real Madrid and PSG.

He chose PSG, but despite three campaigns with the French giants, he has yet to win the Champions League.

His closest attempt was a runner-up finish in the reworked Lisbon bubble. Mbappé is determined to win the prestigious trophy and sees Real Madrid, with their record 13 titles, as the ideal team to achieve this goal.

Ballon d’Or Dreams

Winning the Champions League often boosts a player's chances of claiming the Ballon d'Or, a dream Mbappé cherishes. Despite winning the 2018 World Cup, he only finished fourth in the Ballon d'Or rankings.

Real Madrid has a history of producing Ballon d’Or winners, including Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who won four while at Madrid.

Mbappé believes that playing for such an influential club would enhance his chances. El-Hadji Diouf, a two-time African Ballon d'Or winner, advised, "If Kylian wants to win the Ballon d'Or, he must leave France."

New Bernabéu Ambition

Mbappé is aware of the ambitious renovations at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, set to become one of the world's most modern football venues.

Having already expressed his admiration for playing at the Bernabéu, the idea of leading a new era at this state-of-the-art stadium is a significant motivation. He envisions playing in front of packed stands, becoming the face of Madrid's future.

At Home in Madrid

With Zidane and other French coaches at Real Madrid, Mbappé knows he would feel at home. He would join fellow French players like Varane, Benzema, and Mendy, with potential additions like Camavinga and Upamecano.

This "French-based" Madrid would facilitate Mbappé's quick integration as he aims to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's impact over the next decade. Prepared for the challenge, Mbappé's plans may soon come to fruition, and we may only have to wait one more year.