Watch: Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe spotted at Atlantis in Dubai

Dubai: Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe was recently spotted at the Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai. A video circulating on social media shows him walking through the hotel lobby and speaking with a woman as they head toward the exit. His reason for visiting the Emirate has not been officially confirmed.

The sighting comes shortly after a life-sized wax statue of Mbappé was unveiled during a ceremony organised by Real Madrid World. The new figure will join the theme park’s “Meet the Stars” attraction. Although the striker himself did not attend, the club was well represented by former Real Madrid legends Emilio Butragueño and right back Michel Salgado.

After revealing the statue, Butragueño told Gulf News, “Kylian Mbappé is important. He is one of the best, a top player, one of the best in the world. Players like him help all of football.”

The sculpture is remarkably realistic, capturing Mbappé in one of his signature poses — poised to outmanoeuvre a defender before unleashing one of his trademark thunderous shots. It will stand alongside club greats from various eras, including Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Dončić.

Meanwhile, Mbappé’s long-running contract dispute with Paris Saint-Germain has entered a dramatic new stage. The Real Madrid striker is now seeking more than $301 million in compensation, including roughly €55 million in unpaid wages, plus additional damages for alleged unfair treatment and psychological harassment. Mbappé accuses PSG of breaching his contract and creating a “hostile” work environment ahead of his 2024 move to Real Madrid.