Mbappé was recently interviewed by José Félix Díaz, editorial director of *AS*, at Real Madrid's training center. This was the French striker's first interview with the Spanish newspaper since joining Real Madrid, and they had an in-depth discussion. In this first part of the interview, Mbappé spoke about his dream of joining Real Madrid, life and peace in Madrid, the magic and pressure of playing at the Bernabéu, and his relationship with Florentino.

Reporter: Kylian, first of all, thank you very much. You've been here for two years now, a bit more than two years. When a boy who dreamed of playing happily for Real Madrid finally arrives here, has everything gone the way you wanted?

Mbappé: Yes, exactly as I wanted. Because what I expected was the best club in the world, and I expected great enthusiasm from the *Merengues* and everyone. I think I already had a certain status before coming, but I think when you become a Real Madrid player, you always enter another level, a higher level. I think if you want to leave your mark on football history, you have to play for Real Madrid.

Reporter: Is that what you feel?

Mbappé: Yes, 100%, 100%. What I'm experiencing is in no way less than my expectations. All of this, playing at the Bernabéu every week, is a privilege, having such great support from the fans, and the support I've felt in Spain, which I didn't expect, the affection this country has shown me. I really love living here, being here. This is the first time I've left my home country, so this is an important moment in my life, and I'm glad I made this decision.

Reporter: That's what I was going to ask next. What has Real Madrid given you? What has Madrid given you? What has life in Spain given you? Do you live in peace?

Mbappé: More peaceful, much more peaceful. In France, I was less at peace. I wanted to understand the new culture immediately, to adapt to Spanish culture faster. Of course, I still needed some time, but I think as time goes on, each month that passes, I feel better in Spain. I've never had an unhappy moment here. Only at the very beginning, because I didn't have a home yet, and when you don't have a home, you always feel a bit, you know, unsettled, and you want to go back to your own place, have your own things, but since I got a home, I've been very happy here.

Reporter: Do you "go out and about" like we often say in Madrid? Do you go out for walks? Can you?

Mbappé: Yes, yes, but not often. Occasionally, but not much, because even though I have more peace, it's still... it's normal, it's part of the job, it's part of my life, and I accept it 100%.

Reporter: But you're doing well in Madrid?

Mbappé: Yes, very well, very well. Honestly, very well.

Reporter: When you came here as a Paris Saint-Germain player, you saw this stadium. I remember some images of you and your teammates stepping onto the Bernabéu pitch, looking at the Bernabéu with awe. Do you feel the same way now as you did when you were a PSG player?

Mbappé: No, even more so. Because when you play for Real Madrid, it's a completely different feeling. And when I came with PSG, the Bernabéu wasn't fully completed. Of course, you see it and think, this is a fantastic stadium, but it wasn't finished, there were still some parts being constructed.

Reporter: What were you thinking that day when you walked with your teammates... We realized it at the time, you know we like to let our imagination run wild a bit, we would guess "he's thinking he'll play here next year."

Mbappé: Yes, yes, yes, I remember it very well, very clearly. The thing is, that day, I remember it was the day before a Champions League match, and it was very noisy because workers were constructing, and noise was coming from above. So when we arrived, we all looked up because it felt like something was going to fall on our faces from above. I remember people saying he was very excited. Yes, this is a fantastic stadium full of history, but it was very noisy then. But when you actually see it, when I came to Madrid for the presentation ceremony, and every match I've played... Now I've been here for two years, and I've never felt "okay, I'm used to this now." It's always, always very special.

Reporter: Does playing at the Bernabéu still excite you?

Mbappé: Always, always, always. Because this is a legendary stadium, you can feel the weight of history, and every match is different. Everyone forgets what happened in the past and focuses only on what's going to happen. So every time you have a chance to make new history, which you don't see in all stadiums in the world.

Reporter: Are you still excited every time you play at the Bernabéu?

Mbappé: Yes, 100%, 100%. I hope my team and I can experience more magical nights at the Bernabéu, because when the Bernabéu hosts great Champions League nights, I think there's no better place in the world.

Reporter: Florentino Pérez is a president who made history. How important has his presence been for you to play here?

Mbappé: Very important, because he's the one who brought me here. I've been in contact with him for 10 years before I came to Real Madrid. He's always cared about me, and he's always understood the context of every decision I made, whether it was good or bad for Real Madrid. He always told me that one day I would play for Real Madrid. Today I'm here, and I'm very happy, so I must thank him for everything he's done for me and everything he continues to do, because for me, he's the best president in the world, as I've said before.

Reporter: When did you make the decision? Was there a detail that made you feel "I must play for Real Madrid"? Not young Mbappé, but professional Kylian.

Mbappé: Honestly, if I may be frank, there's nothing that needs to convince you to join Real Madrid.

Reporter: No, rather than people, it's more about details, right? Some details.

Mbappé: No, no, no. It's just that in my story with Real Madrid, there was a period when I wanted to come but couldn't. In the football world, if you understand it like I do, you know that sometimes things don't depend on you. You have to wait. In football, sometimes the timing has to be right, and you can only move forward when all the lights are green. Because from my perspective, everyone always knew that at some point I wanted to come to Real Madrid. I've said it many times, but sometimes if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. You have to accept it, of course there will be disappointment, but a footballer's life is always about looking forward, not backward. In good times and bad, you have to look forward. And there's... even a great person like Florentino doesn't need to convince me to join Real Madrid, because for me, it's a clear choice.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

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