Kylian Mbappe to Take New Shirt Number at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe is set to wear an iconic new shirt number at Real Madrid for the 2025/26 campaign. The Frenchman, who joined the Champions League giants last summer, had been wearing the number nine shirt – fitting, given his shift from the left wing at Paris Saint-Germain to a central role at the Bernabeu.

That number certainly served the 26-year-old well in his debut season from an individual standpoint, as he scored 44 goals across all competitions to win the European Golden Shoe. However, he’ll be hoping for greater success on the silverware front in his second season, after Carlo Ancelotti’s side managed only the UEFA Super Cup – missing out on all domestic honours to Barcelona and exiting the Champions League in the Round of 16.

With Xabi Alonso now at the helm, there’s renewed optimism that Los Blancos can get back on track in their pursuit of further global dominance. And Mbappe will be hoping to do his new shirt number proud, especially given its storied history.

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Kylian Mbappe Will Wear Number 10 Shirt Next Season

It wasn’t his decision to take Luca Modric’s shirt

The departure of Luka Modric has left the iconic No. 10 shirt up for grabs at Real Madrid. Mbappe wore that number during his time at Monaco and currently wears it for the France national team. Now, it seems he’s set to wear the same number for both club and country.

According to ESPN, Mbappe is the new owner of Real Madrid’s legendary No. 10 shirt, which has also previously been sported by the likes of Mesut Ozil, Luis Figo, Michael Laudrup, and Ferenc Puskas – one of the greatest strikers in football history.

Although Arda Guler was initially thought to be in the running to inherit Modric’s shirt, the ESPN report also states it was “always” the plan for Mbappe to take the number once it became available. He’ll have big shoes to fill – the Croatia captain departed as the club’s most decorated player, having won 28 trophies, including six Champions League titles.

The move is also seen as a way to boost the Frenchman’s marketability, with the club confident they can fully capitalise on a surge in shirt sales this summer, with records in sight according to a recent post on Reddit.