Kylian Mbappé Set to Inherit Real Madrid’s Legendary No. 10 — A New Era Begins at the Bernabéu
A major symbolic shift is about to unfold at Real Madrid.
Following the confirmed departure of club legend Luka Modrić after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the club’s iconic No. 10 shirt is now vacant—ready for a new name to carry its weight. According to well-respected journalist Ramón Álvarez, that name is none other than Kylian Mbappé.
Currently donning the No. 9 jersey, Mbappé is poised to become the next torchbearer of a number that has historically represented genius, leadership, and creative brilliance at the heart of Real Madrid. The No. 10 shirt is not just fabric stitched with a number; it carries a legacy that spans decades. Worn by past club greats such as Ferenc Puskás, Clarence Seedorf, Luis Figo, Mesut Özil, and of course, Modrić himself, it is a badge of honor few are entrusted with.
For Mbappé, the shift is both natural and strategic.
Not only has he worn the No. 10 for the French national team—guiding them to a World Cup title and nearly a second—but his role at Madrid is increasingly becoming central. Since his much-anticipated arrival last summer, the 26-year-old has wasted no time proving his worth. In his debut season alone, Mbappé racked up 34 goals in 51 matches, leading the line with explosive pace, cold-blooded finishing, and undeniable star power.
His performances have already redefined Madrid’s attack, and now, a change in shirt number may signal a broader transition: Mbappé is becoming the face of the new Real Madrid.
However, he’s not the only name in the conversation.
Young Turkish sensation Arda Güler, just 20 years old, has also drawn attention within the club. Güler, an intelligent playmaker with vision and flair, fits the mold of a classic No. 10. Madrid have high hopes for his development, and there are whispers behind the scenes that some believe the shirt would suit him long-term. But in this moment, with the weight of global marketing and leadership needs in play, Mbappé’s profile makes him the overwhelming favorite.
Choosing Mbappé for the No. 10 is about more than merit—it’s about legacy building. It’s about a club making a statement that their next Galáctico is here not only to score, but to lead.
And there’s a domino effect in motion.
Should Mbappé officially take the No. 10, the No. 9 shirt—currently his—will become available. That number is expected to go to Endrick, the teenage Brazilian phenom who will be integrated into the first team in the 2025/26 season. Endrick, still only 18, has been described as the future of Brazilian football and the next big South American export. Wearing the No. 9 would symbolically mark him as the club’s next great striker, following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and now Mbappé.
This shirt shuffle signals a changing of the guard at the Bernabéu.
Modrić’s exit closes one of the most glorious chapters in Madrid’s modern history. The Croatian maestro lifted five Champions League titles, a Ballon d’Or, and left an indelible mark on the club. But time moves on—and Real Madrid is preparing for a new era led by Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Endrick, Güler, Tchouaméni, and Valverde.
The assignment of shirt numbers in Madrid is never casual. It’s a reflection of status, identity, and belief. By handing the No. 10 to Mbappé, the club is declaring: this is the man who will lead us forward.
The stage is set. A new No. 10 is ready to write his own chapter in white.
