Kylian Mbappe: Why Real Madrid Made Jersey Number Change Ahead of New Season

Real Madrid are starting their preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 season and one of the biggest developments ahead of the new campaign involves Kylian Mbappe.

The French superstar, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, has officially been handed the iconic No. 10 jersey cementing his role not just as a marquee player, but as the face of a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

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The change follows the departure of club legend Luka Modrić, who previously wore the number for over a decade.

Mbappé initially wore the No. 9 shirt upon his arrival, but with Modrić’s exit, the stage was set for a reshuffle.

Real Madrid made the change official via their website, while Mbappe confirmed it himself in typically stylish fashion—with a simple post on X that read: “10”.

The No. 10 shirt at Real Madrid is steeped in history and prestige. Worn in the past by footballing greats like Luis Figo, Mesut Özil, Clarence Seedorf, and Raúl, the number is synonymous with creativity, leadership, and influence on the pitch.

For Mbappe, who also wears the No. 10 for the French national team, the transition feels like a natural evolution of his growing importance in both club and international football.

His social media post, though cryptic, sent waves across the football world and was quickly followed by Real Madrid updating their official squad list.

The club embraced the announcement as a marketing masterstroke, underscoring Mbappé’s stature not only as a player but also as a global icon.

With Mbappé now officially the No. 10, the No. 9 shirt he previously wore has been vacated. That iconic jersey—once worn by legends like Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Alfredo Di Stéfano—now lies in waiting.

Young talents such as Endrick and Gonzalo are considered leading candidates to inherit it, although a final decision has not yet been confirmed.

Mbappé’s move to the No. 10 isn’t just symbolic—it marks a turning point for Real Madrid’s identity heading into the Xabi Alonso era.

The jersey swap signals the club’s confidence in Mbappé as their new talisman, someone capable of leading the team through a fresh chapter filled with both opportunity and expectation.