At Real Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabeu’s presentation of Eden Hazard as a newcomer to the royal line-up, some Royal fans loudly demanded Kylian Mbappe’s commitment to Paris Saint-Germain.
Before the Belgian was presented to 50,000 spectators on Thursday evening, parts of the fans shouted loudly and clearly: “We want Mbappe!
When Hazard stepped onto the lawn and kissed Real’s coat of arms during the presentation, the crowds frenetically cheered their new superstar. “Thank you all very much. Hala Madrid!” Hazard said in Spanish and reaped loud cheers.
Only at the launch of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009 were ever more people at the launch of a new Real player than at that of Hazard. The Portuguese, who had moved from Manchester United to the Spanish capital for 94 million euros, had 70,000 people. Also in 2009, around 50,000 people attended the presentation of the Brazilian superstar Kaka.
Previously, Hazard had already signed a contract inside the arena in a fine grey suit, valid until 2024, and said full of beans: “I really want to start playing for Real Madrid and win many titles. It’s been my dream since I was little, and now I’m here. I just want to enjoy this moment.” The 28-year-old is to be paid in the region of 100 million euros. According to Spanish media reports, bonus payments could increase the amount by a further 45 million euros.
The Belgian World Cup star was accompanied by his family, including his younger brother Thorgan Hazard (26), who is moving from Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach to runner-up Borussia Dortmund this summer. Eden Hazard had already landed in the Spanish capital on Thursday morning and then completed the obligatory medical check at the Clinica Sanitas de La Moraleja.
