Kylian Mbappe is set to switch to the legendary number 10 jersey at Real Madrid, just a year after arriving at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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Both Mbappe and the club are reportedly aligned on the decision, which is expected to form a major part of Real’s global marketing strategy.
Last summer, Real Madrid originally planned to hand the No. 10 shirt to the Frenchman, but Luka Modric’s unexpected contract renewal saw him retain the number.
Mbappe respectfully took No. 9 for his debut season and was even prepared to continue with it if Modric had stayed.
With few contenders for the No. 10 shirt this summer—Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono being seen as too young or unproven—Mbappe’s elevation to the iconic number seemed inevitable, reports Espana.
The shirt, long associated with stars like Zidane and Modric, is also Mbappe’s number with France, making the switch a natural step.
This change could also symbolize a fresh start for Mbappe after a mixed first season in Madrid, despite finishing as La Liga’s top scorer.
His move leaves the No. 9 shirt vacant, sparking speculation about whether Endrick Felipe or Gonzalo Garcia could inherit the iconic striker number.
