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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe has turned down the club's offer of a brand new BMW i7, despite recently passing his driving test, thus forgoing the opportunity to match Trent Alexander-Arnold in the club parking lot.
Mbappe, who turned 27 in December, is now officially road-legal after passing his driving test. Being part of Real's elite comes with certain perks, including a complimentary i7.
However, the World Cup champion has opted for the slightly more modest (though still electric) iX3 as his preferred BMW model. Having only recently passed his test, Marca reported that Madrid star Mbappe is cautious about taking on more than he can handle with his first regular vehicle.
Real inked a sponsorship deal with BMW in 2022, which requires players to drive BMW models to the training ground and to other club events.
Alexander-Arnold had to concede that his preferred Range Rover P530 was no longer appropriate for club visits due to sponsorship constraints, which meant he was prohibited from driving it to training and club functions.
Mbappe's decision is a prudent one, considering the top-spec i7 measures a hefty 5.4 metres long. In contrast, the iX3 is just 4.7m long and will undoubtedly make parallel parking easier for a beginner driver.
While Alexander-Arnold had the choice of a lavish i7, he similarly prioritised functionality rather than flash. The England player chose the more affordable iX xDrive60, a fully-electric SUV.
It seems Alexander-Arnold, who remains under scrutiny in Madrid, is perhaps being cautious not to get carried away in his debut season on Spanish roads.
Adapting to driving on the right-hand side may require time, making it prudent to ease into a more high-performance motor gradually.
A recent video filmed at Real's training facility showed Mbappe departing solo behind the wheel for the first time. He appeared at ease despite having only just secured legal authorisation to drive.
Mbappe has claimed virtually every honor in soccer, except the Champions League. Yet, he has stated previously that he simply lacked the opportunity to concentrate on obtaining his licence.
That appears to have shifted since his relocation to Madrid. Real's players are presumably permitted to use their chosen vehicles outside of club commitments, though Mbappe may well be content with his complimentary option for the time being.
French outlet 7sur7 recently disclosed that Spanish law mandates novice motorists to display an 'L' plate on their vehicle for 12 months.
While he may be familiarizing himself with driving, Mbappe is anything but inexperienced on the soccer field and presently leads the standings for this season's Pichichi Trophy, having netted 23 goals in La Liga thus far. (Liverpool)