​​Kylian Mbappé set for Real Madrid debut – Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid manager Carlos Ancelotti has confirmed that their new signing Kylian Mbappe is all set to make his debut for the club. The Los Blancos will take on Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday and the French striker could play his first match in Real Madrid’s jersey.

Mbappé signed a five-year deal worth €15 million a year after taxes and will also receive a €150m signing on fee, spread over his deal, according to ESPN sources. 

Mbappe will certainly add more strength to Real Madrid’s squad as he has got the pace and skills to beat the best defenders in the world. 

“Kylian has arrived well, like all the other [players] who haven’t had much time [to train],” Ancelotti said in his pre-match news conference on Tuesday. “He’s in good form, he’s adapting well. Obviously, everyone who’s here [with the squad] could play tomorrow.”

Real Madrid is spoiled with choices as they have players like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, Endrick, Brahim Díaz, Arda Güler, and Jude Bellingham and the Italian joked that he ruined his vacations – thinking who he should play and who he shouldn’t.

“All summer I’ve been thinking about who to pick, who not to pick, and it ruined my holidays!” Ancelotti laughed. “We have a lot of games. The same players can’t play all 70 games [this season]. Last year, those who played less brought a lot to the team, those who started on the bench, and that can be the key.”

The veteran manager didn’t confirm if Mbappe will be Madrid’s first-choice penalty taker.

“He takes penalties,” Ancelotti said. “Recently Vini has taken them well. I saw Bellingham did well in a game at the Euros. [Federico] Valverde did great [with a penalty] at the Copa América. We have a lot of takers. I’ll have to choose one for tomorrow, and it will be someone who starts the game.”

“I’ve had to face [Mbappé] a few times,” defender Dani Carvajal said. “As a teammate, he’s a great player, and he’ll help us a lot to have a great season.”

After the Super Cup, Madrid kick off their La Liga 2024-25 campaign by visiting Mallorca on Sunday.