Real Madrid unveiled their updated squad list on Tuesday, confirming Kylian Mbappe will switch to the number 10 shirt. The Frenchman, who donned the number 9 last season, inherits the iconic jersey from Luka Modric, worn by the Croatian since the 2017/18 campaign.
New season, new number. Mbappe, Real Madrid’s marquee signing last season, has been allocated the number 10 shirt. The Spanish giants updated their squad list on their website on Tuesday, confirming the number the Bondy-born forward will sport for the 2025/26 season.
The French international’s profile no longer displays the number 9 he wore in his first season in white, scoring 44 goals in 59 games. This iconic number was previously donned by greats such as Santillana, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the legendary Ronaldo Nazario. Now, the Frenchman further solidifies his position at Madrid.
Speculation had been rife for the past week that Mbappe would don the number 10, left vacant by Luka Modric’s departure to Milan. The Croatian had worn it for the club since the 2017/18 season, after James Rodriguez departed.
As a result, Mbappe relinquishes the number 9 shirt, having become Real Madrid’s highest-scoring debutant and also securing the Pichichi trophy as La Liga’s top scorer in 2024-25, alongside the European Golden Boot.
The shirt number is now once again vacant. It was last left vacant for a year following Benzema’s departure (2023/24).
