According to reports, Kylian Mbappe will start for Real Madrid in the No. 9 jersey the next season.
One of the longest transfer sagas in modern sport came to a conclusion on Monday when it was confirmed that the Frenchman will join Real Madrid.
It happens after the World Cup winner of 2018 made the decision to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, fulfilling a childhood goal, rather than signing a one-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain.
The Frenchman is anticipated to wear shirt number nine, according to Fabrizio Romano, even if he personally prefers number ten.
But there’s a sophisticated explanation for why he won’t be playing in his favourite number in 2024–2025.
Because of his respect for Luka Modric, it is said that Mbappe and his team did not ask Real Madrid to wear the No. 10 shirt.
James Rodriguez and Mesut Ozil wore the No. 10 throughout Modric’s first five seasons at Real Madrid. He has been wearing it since the 2017–18 campaign. He had been sporting the No. 19 shirt up until 2017.
The 38-year-old Croatian midfielder was about to lose his contract this summer when he agreed to a new one-year deal at a reduced pay.
Unlike Toni Kroos, who will retire after this summer’s European Championship, Modric has chosen to stay at the club despite accepting a more supporting role this season.
Given that Modric is nearing the conclusion of his career, Mbappe might decide to hold off on purchasing the No. 10 shirt when it becomes available.
But he would be following in the footsteps of some legendary players who have graced the Santiago Bernabeu by donning the No. 9.
His former French international teammate Karim Benzema, who wore the number for 13 years between 2010 and 2013, is the most current player to do so.
The shirt was previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo during his first campaign with the team.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe wore shirt number seven because Neymar had already claimed number ten.
It was then picked up by Mbappe’s French international teammate Ousmane Dembele when Neymar left the squad in the summer of last year.
Vinicius Jr., who is favoured to win the upcoming Ballon d’Or after leading Real Madrid to their 15th Champions League championship on Saturday, is now wearing the No. 7 shirt for Real Madrid.