Kylian Mbappé set to inherit Real Madrid’s iconic No. 10 shirt

Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé is reportedly poised to switch squad numbers ahead of the 2025–26 season, with the French forward eyeing the club’s iconic No. 10 shirt. The 26-year-old is set to part ways with his current No. 9 jersey as part of a summer reshuffle within the squad.

Mbappé, who joined Los Blancos in the summer of 2024 amid massive fanfare, wore the No. 9 shirt during his debut campaign in the Spanish capital.

The number, once worn by club greats such as Karim Benzema, marked a transitional phase for the Frenchman as he settled into a new chapter of his career in La Liga.

However, with the departure of veteran midfielder and club legend Luka Modrić, the No. 10 shirt has now become available. The Croatian maestro wore the number with distinction for over a decade, and his exit this summer has opened the door for Mbappé to inherit one of the most prestigious numbers in Real Madrid’s history.

The potential switch also holds sentimental value for Mbappé, who wears the No. 10 jersey for the French national team. Adopting the same number at club level would further cement his status as a central figure in Madrid’s future, symbolizing both leadership and creativity, qualities traditionally associated with the number.

This change comes as part of a broader restructuring at Real Madrid following their 2024–25 campaign. With several senior players departing and a new generation stepping up, Mbappé’s shirt number change is seen as a symbolic passing of the torch, placing him at the forefront of Madrid’s next era.

Fans will now be eager to see how the forward embraces the responsibility of the No. 10 shirt, especially given the legacy left behind by Modrić.

As anticipation builds for the new season, all eyes will be on Mbappé as he leads the charge for domestic and European glory in his second year with the Spanish giants.