Real Madrid is reportedly interested in assigning the club’s prestigious number 10 shirt to Kylian Mbappé.
Luka Modrić has only two months remaining in his tenure with Real Madrid before he leaves the club.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Croatian’s number 10 shirt will be available for the first time in eight years, and it is likely to be given to Mbappé.
According to El Chiringuito, Real Madrid plans to offer the number 10 to Mbappé in advance of the 2025–26 season.
Currently, the French forward is the frontrunner to inherit the legendary shirt from Modrić.
In his inaugural season at the club, Mbappé had to wear the number 9.
He donned the number 7 at Paris Saint-Germain, but Vinícius Júnior currently holds Cristiano Ronaldo’s former shirt number.
Additionally, he was unable to take the number 10 shirt, which he wears for the French national team, as it is owned by Modrić.
However, now Mbappé has the opportunity to wear the same number for both club and country if he accepts this prestigious honor.
He would become only the 10th player in the last three decades to wear the number 10 for Real Madrid.
Modrić received the shirt in 2017 after having already secured three Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
He subsequently added numerous other trophies to his collection, including three additional Champions League titles and even a Ballon d’Or, all while wearing the number 10.
The expectations will be high for Mbappé to uphold the legacy associated with this shirt number.
The Frenchman concluded his remarkable debut season with Los Blancos by winning both the European Golden Boot and the Pichichi Trophy.
He netted 43 goals across all competitions, including 31 in La Liga, and was recognized as Real Madrid’s standout player in an otherwise disappointing final season under Carlo Ancelotti.
If Real Madrid ultimately opts to assign the number 10 to someone other than Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler are viable alternatives.