Today marks a significant milestone in the life of Kylian Mbappé, a young football prodigy whose journey from a child with Cristiano Ronaldo posters on his wall to a star at Real Madrid is nothing short of a fairy tale. As a 13-year-old boy in Paris, Mbappé wore Real Madrid’s training kit every day, idolizing his football hero, Cristiano Ronaldo.
A Memorable Visit to Valdebebas
In 2012, young Mbappé had the opportunity to visit Real Madrid’s training camp, Valdebebas. Accompanied by his father, mother, and uncle, this visit was hosted by none other than Zinedine Zidane. Zidane personally invited Kylian to tour the famous training ground, making it a dream come true for the aspiring footballer.
“Zizou invited me in his own car to go and visit the famous Valdebebas. It was like a dream to me… just thinking: so maybe I’m still dreaming on the plane?” Mbappé recalled, capturing the surreal experience of that day.
A Visit to the Santiago Bernabéu
During that visit, Kylian also had the chance to witness a match at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where Real Madrid faced Espanyol. Watching his idol Cristiano Ronaldo score was a moment of pure inspiration for the young fan. His mother, Fayza Lamari, shared their intentions, “We just wanted our son to visit Real and be happy, not to convince Real to sign him for the academy.”
The Dream Comes True
Fast forward to today, and that young boy’s dream is now a reality. Kylian Mbappé is back in Madrid, this time as a key player for Real Madrid. The Santiago Bernabéu is sold out, with 85,000 fans eagerly awaiting to see him in action. This moment symbolizes not just a career milestone for Mbappé, but the realization of a lifelong dream.
From Bondy to the Santiago Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé’s journey is a testament to the power of dreams and perseverance. After 578 days of anticipation, the young boy who once visited Real Madrid’s training camp is now set to shine on the grand stage. As Mbappé steps onto the field in front of thousands of adoring fans, his story will continue to inspire young footballers around the world to chase their dreams with relentless passion and determination.