Kylian Mbappe’s Real Madrid debut was everything he’d dreamed of

A first match, a first goal and a first title. After a seven-year prologue of illusions and disappointments, Kylian Mbappe’s story with Real Madrid finally began in earnest with a 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

Playing as a central striker flanked by Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo — but each with the licence to move across the front line — it was a dream debut for the 25-year-old, with the club he has always dreamed of representing.

It was an impressive night for several of Madrid’s other stars. Jude Bellingham, moved a little further back towards midfield in Carlo Ancelotti’s new system, took control of the game in the second half. Vinicius Jr provided a brilliant assist for Federico Valverde’s opening tap-in (the Uruguayan pointed to his No 8 in tribute to the now-retired Toni Kroos). But there was still a sense of tension until Mbappe’s goal in the 68th minute.

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Found by Bellingham in the box, the Frenchman’s powerful finish sparked joyous scenes around a hugely anticipated moment, and one Mbappe himself must have visualised many times. Arms outstretched, he ran towards the corner flag and performed his trademark celebration with his hands held tightly across his chest. In a flash, Vinicius Jr appeared as a mirror image alongside him and, just after, Rodrygo did the same — but not before Antonio Rudiger’s own ritual of giving whoever has scored a (friendly) slap.

“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” Mbappe said. “To play in this shirt, for this badge, for these fans.”

Bellingham said: “It was destined for Kylian to score tonight — of course I expected it. He works like a dog for the team.”

One of the debates around Madrid in recent months has been about the supposedly difficult management of egos that Ancelotti will have to deal with in a squad packed full of exciting talent. Sources at Valdebebas — who wished to speak anonymously as they did not have permission to comment — have always insisted that this is one of the healthiest dressing rooms in years. And scenes like those witnessed on Wednesday night suggest there is no reason to doubt it.

“There are no princes or kings here,” said Ancelotti the day before the match in Warsaw.

In the Polish capital, we saw for the first time the new formation for 2024-25, revealed by The Athletic back in mid-July. But in the build-up to the match, Madrid’s Italian manager did not want to fully resolve the big question every fan wanted an answer to: would Mbappe be a starter?

Before Madrid’s 2022 Super Cup appearance, Ancelotti said only players who had won the Champions League in the months prior would start. Many were left wondering whether the same theory would apply this year. Combined with the huge anticipation that has grown since Mbappe’s summer signing, it made for an interesting atmosphere.

Hours before the match, one very well-connected source summed it up in a curious WhatsApp message: “Aren’t you going to ask me if Mbappe is playing? My whole family and all my friends want to know!”

On Tuesday, Madrid’s open training was followed with considerably more attention than usual, even for the Champions League winners. The eyes of every journalist and hospitality guest were only on Mbappe, who also found the net during that session.

Some 24 hours later, at the same Kazimierz Gorski National Stadium, he appeared in pristine white to warm up. His image was closely followed on the stadium screens. His name was the most chanted when the line-ups were announced.

The protagonist seemed as cool as ever while this took place, exchanging relaxed passes with Bellingham, who would eventually provide the assist for his goal. It was also telling to spot those two together again in the centre circle later, just as the second half was about to begin, deep in conversation, plotting how to transform the match.

When Mbappe left the party in the 83rd minute, Valverde congratulated him on his way to join the substitutes. On the sidelines, there was a warm embrace from Ancelotti and claps and cheers from the rest of the staff. He shook hands with each of his team-mates as well as the physios and other specialists on the bench.

When the referee blew the whistle, a first trophy now sealed, Mbappe embraced Madrid’s physical coach Antonio Pintus, the man who has made him suffer since arriving at Valdebebas for pre-season training on August 7.

“When he picked up his medal, he was happy — he’s come in on the right foot,” said Madrid president Florentino Perez, a crucial figure in the forward’s signing this summer, and in the club’s decade-long pursuit.

“(I want) much more, much more,” Mbappe said after hugging his father on the sidelines as the celebrations got going. “When you play for Madrid, you have no limits.”

It was a great start for Mbappe and Madrid — but nothing to be satisfied with.

(Top photo: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)