Kylian Mbappe unveiled as Real Madrid’s new No.10

Real Madrid have officially handed the legendary number 10 shirt to Kylian Mbappe, a move that feels like the beginning of a new era in the Spanish capital.

The reveal came quietly but powerfully. Last week, Mbappe posted a simple “10” on X with no images or explanation.

That was all it took for fans and pundits alike to connect the dots. On Tuesday, Real Madrid made it official by updating their squad list on the club’s website, confirming the 26-year-old as their new No.10.

The shirt of legends

During his first season in La Liga, Mbappe wore the No.9 as Luka Modric retained the 10 he had owned for over a decade.

With Modric departing to join AC Milan at the end of his contract, the famous number was freed up – and Madrid wasted no time offering it to their talisman.

The No.10 shirt has a rich history at Real Madrid, previously worn by stars such as Luis Figo, James Rodriguez, Mesut Ozil, Robinho, and most recently, Modric.

A familiar role for France’s captain

While Mbappe hasn’t consistently worn the number 10 in club football, the shirt is very much a part of his identity at international level.

For France, he has led the attack wearing 10 and he did have a taste of the number briefly during his early career at Monaco, but this is the first time he will wear it full-time at club level.

The expectation now is for Mbappe to embrace the shirt much like Zinedine Zidane and Luka Modric before him.

A commercial power play

This decision is as much about business as it is about football. Real Madrid are preparing to officially unveil the new kit in the coming days, with insiders already predicting record-breaking demand.

When Mbappe first signed and was given the No.9 shirt, demand for jerseys was so intense that Adidas was forced to delay deliveries by weeks.

With the number 10’s prestige and Mbappe’s star power now combined, the surge in orders could eclipse those figures.

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