Kylian Mbappé made a huge sacrifice to join Real Madrid from PSG last summer.
Kylian Mbappé has finally realized his dream: joining Real Madrid. After years of speculation and twists and turns, the French striker has made the big move to Spain. But behind this long-awaited signing lies a choice with far-reaching consequences. While sportingly, the French international believes he has reached a milestone, financially, he has had to lower his expectations. Between the dazzling offers from Paris Saint-Germain and the astronomical proposals from Saudi Arabia, Mbappé has decided in favor of his ambition. A choice that, according to him, was well worth the sacrifices.
Kylian Mbappé Turned His Back on a Fortune at PSG
By signing with Real Madrid for five seasons, Kylian Mbappé became the highest-paid player in La Liga, with an estimated gross annual salary of €32 million. Added to this are image rights, which further boost his income. However, this sum remains far below what he received at PSG, where his contract offered him exceptional terms.
Even with an estimated signing bonus of €100 million, the French striker is far from the €250 million gross annual salary he could have earned had he stayed in Paris for another season. This is a considerable amount, including his salary, bonuses, and income from image rights. The gap is even more impressive when compared to the €300 million offer for a single season made to him by Saudi club Al-Hilal.
Kylian Mbappé Hasn’t Gave Up Everything
While Kylian Mbappé agreed to a pay cut to join Real Madrid, he nevertheless obtained a significant advantage: unprecedented control over his image rights. While the Madrid club usually imposes a 50/50 split, Mbappé managed to negotiate a transfer of 80% of his rights, guaranteeing him significant long-term income.
According to revelations in the newspaper AS, this negotiation was bitter and tense, but the Real Madrid management ultimately accepted this condition, aware of the player’s enormous marketing impact. It was a winning bet, since within the first few days of his arrival, sales of jerseys bearing his name exploded, confirming his status as a global star.
Real Madrid grateful for Mbappé
During his presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu on July 16, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez paid tribute to his new signing’s efforts. “Dear Kylian, welcome home. You’ve made sacrifices few can imagine to join this club,” he told a roaring Madrid crowd.
For Pérez, the pay cut Mbappé accepted was a key element in maintaining financial harmony in the dressing room. But for the striker, that wasn’t the point. As those close to him confided, he is happy to play for a club he has always admired. A dream that, according to him, was well worth making a few concessions.
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