We pulled up to a secret location in Madrid where Nike recreated 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 Kylian Mbappé photo in his bedroom as a youngster. The result was a fully immersive experience that served as a reminder of the hard work and dedication it takes to achieve your dreams, backed up by words from Mbappé himself.
Dreams have to start somewhere, right? For Kylian Mbappé, they began in a small bedroom in Bondy, a space wallpapered with ambition, littered with memories, and dominated by one image that would go on to capture imaginations around the world—Mbappé, young and fearless, surrounded by posters of his hero, Cristiano Ronaldo. That photo, a snapshot of hope and belief, became iconic. Fast forward to now, and Nike Football has brought that vision to life in Madrid through “The Room”—a fully immersive experience that allows certain lucky individuals (yes, that includes us) to step directly into the mind and heart of a young Mbappé.
Set in a secret location in Madrid, “The Room” is more than just a tribute. It’s a time machine. From the moment the doors opened, it was clear this was different. We weren’t just walking into a space—we were entering a mindset. The recreation of Mbappé’s childhood room was perfect: from the CR7 posters on the wall to the bed lying dreamily underneath. But it didn’t stop there. There were also virtual boot challenges and a penalty shootout that tested belief as much as technique. Everything about it whispered: anything is possible.
And after navigating “The Room”, testing our own self-belief, with the opportunity of unlocking some special-edition signature Nike Mercurial Superfly and Vapor Elite x Mbappé boots (and yes, we bagged a pair – bit flashy for a centre back, granted, but we’ll take it) we sat down with Mbappé himself. Fresh off a dream move that felt written in destiny, he was calm, collected, and still carrying the sparkle of the boy from Bondy.
From Bondy to the Bernabéu
“The dream of playing for Real Madrid is now my reality,” Mbappé smiled, his words still sinking in. “The dream is real! Of course, there are tough moments—football is tough and nothing is easy. But it’s a pleasure, every single time, to walk into the dressing room and see the jersey in the flesh. That will never stop being special.”
This isn’t just a transfer story—it’s a full-circle moment. A young kid dreaming big in a CR7-clad bedroom is now living those same moments in the white of Real Madrid. It’s cinematic. It’s legacy.
On Building a Winning Mentality
“To score goals, to win things—that’s what it’s all about here,” Mbappé explains. “I try to see the positives all the time. You’ve got to do the work to build that mentality, but at the end of the day—I think I’m a pretty lucky guy.”
But luck, as ever, is only part of it. Mbappé’s mindset is forged through challenges, sacrifices, and sheer willpower—something that “The Room” subtly reminds every visitor.
“The dream of playing for Real Madrid is now my reality. The dream is real!”
New City, New Culture, Same Drive
“I’m just a normal guy who’s arrived from his country to play for Madrid,” he says. “It’s a new part of my life and a new lifestyle. At the start, there was a lot of noise, and everything was new. But I’m at the best club in the world—it’s impossible not to enjoy it.”
His ability to adapt—to evolve without losing himself—is evident. Whether it’s in Paris or now Madrid, his identity remains intact, rooted in humble beginnings and outrageous ambition.
On Following Icons and Inspiring the Next
“Cristiano was the guy for me,” he says with a grin. “He led the way from Manchester United to Real Madrid. I’m lucky enough to say I know him now and he’s become a friend. R9 as well, from the previous generation, but Cristiano was always my example.”
It’s fitting that Mbappé now walks the same path, carving his own legacy where his heroes once stood. And for a generation of young dreamers staring at his poster, the cycle continues.
“Cristiano was the guy for me… I’m lucky enough to say I know him now and he’s become a friend.”
On Boot Dreams and Joga Bonito Reveries
“Those Brazil shirts from the Joga Bonito era… Ronaldinho, Robinho, Ronaldo, Adriano. Those kits were crazy! Everything from that era was insane,” he says with genuine excitement. “And those boots—the ‘Pink Panther’ Mercurials that Ribéry wore—man, I dreamt about them. When Nike recreated them for me a few years later? That was wild. I always tell Franck, it was an honour to create such beautiful history.”
From boot-obsessed kid to global icon, Mbappé’s journey is a living reminder that belief beats everything. Nike’s “The Room” doesn’t just recreate a space—it recreates a mindset. And stepping inside, we didn’t just learn more about Kylian Mbappé—we felt what it's like to believe like him.
Because in the end, all it takes is one room, one dream, and a whole lot of self-belief.
“I dreamt about this boot a lot when I was a kid.”
Shop Kylian Mbappé's latest signature Nike Mercurials at prodirectsport.com/soccer
