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Cristiano Ronaldo's presence would've been the perfect cherry on top for the already extravagant presentation of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe at the Santiago Bernabeu on July 16. The Frenchman was finally signed by the Los Blancos after spending six seasons at Paris Saint Germain.
Kylian's presentation was attended by some of the biggest names in the Los Blancos ecosystem like Zinedine Zidane, Florentino Perez, and José Martínez 'Pirri. Many fans were expecting Ronaldo to make a surprise appearance during the presentation of one of his biggest fans in the football world.
According to a report by Onda Cero journalist Alberto Pereiro, Cristiano Ronaldo was invited by Real Madrid to be present at the unveiling ceremony of Kylian Mbappe. Pereiro said (via Bernabeu Digital):
"Real Madrid invited Cristiano Ronaldo to Mbappé's presentation and he did not want to come."
The Portugal forward reportedly refused the offer as another engagement would keep him from attending the spectacle at the Bernabeu.
Some fans believe that Ronaldo's partnership with Nike is the major reason for his absence. Nike sponsors both Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo but Real Madrid is mostly sponsored by Nike's arch rivals Adidas.
Kylian Mbappe copied Cristiano Ronaldo chant during his Real Madrid presentation
"Uno Dos Tres Hala Madrid!" exclaimed Kylian Mbappe during his extravagant presentation at the packed Santiago Bernabeu. Right after the count, the entire stadium erupted in unison as they joined the Frenchman in chanting 'Hala Madrid.'
Longtime Madridistas will recall something similar from fifteen years ago. A 24-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo recited the same chant amid a stadium full of Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu during his presentation in 2009. Kylian Mbappe was just a ten-year-old boy at that time.
Mbappe went on to deliver an emotional speech during his presentation wherein he expressed his gratitude to the club and Florentino Perez.
“My dream came true today. I’m happy, I’m really happy. It feels incredible to be here. I’ve slept many years dreaming of Real Madrid and now"æ it’s reality. I see my mom in tears, it’s an incredible day for me. Let me say thanks to Florentino Perez,” commented Mbappe (via India Today).
Kylian's five-year contract with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit will see him reportedly earn around $15 million per season. Moreover, he will get a whopping $100 million signing bonus from the La Liga giants.
