Real Madrid to hand Kylian Mbappe iconic No. 10 jersey

Real Madrid have decided to assign Kylian Mbappe the prestigious number 10 shirt ahead of the 2025/26 season.

This marks a fresh chapter for the French star just one year into his Bernabeu career.

Initially, Mbappe was tipped to wear the number upon joining last summer, but Luka Modric’s surprise contract renewal meant the Croatian maestro retained it.

Mbappe settled for the number 9 shirt, but both player and club have now aligned on the switch as Modric joins AC Milan.

According to ESPN, the decision is driven not just by Mbappe’s preference, given his number 10 status with France, but also by commercial strategy.

Real Madrid are banking on the global appeal of Mbappe wearing the club’s most iconic number to boost shirt sales and fan engagement.

Alternative options for the shirt included Arda Guler and incoming Argentine talent Franco Mastantuono, but neither carry the star weight Mbappe does.

With Rodrygo’s future uncertain and potentially heading for the exit, Mbappe’s new number could signal a restructured attacking hierarchy.

While the No. 10 shirt represents a fresh start, it also vacates the number 9 jersey.

With no marquee centre-forward incoming, eyes will turn to rising prospects Gonzalo Garcia Torres and Endrick Felipe to step up.

However, neither yet fits the mould of a traditional Real Madrid number 9.