Kylian Mbappe Handed a New Shirt Number

After an individual season of brilliance wearing the No. 9 shirt, Mbappé has now been handed a number that carries deeper meaning, especially in Madrid. With Luka Modrić moving on to AC Milan, the shirt became available, and the club wasted no time confirming that their French superstar would inherit the iconic number. 

The move was made official through Real Madrid’s updated squad list and social media posts this week, with Mbappé’s name now etched beside the No. 10 on the official website.

A New Era for Madrid’s Attack

When Mbappé arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu last summer, he opted for the No. 9 jersey, worn most notably by Karim Benzema, since Modrić still held the No. 10 shirt. In his debut campaign, the French forward lit up La Liga and Europe, finishing with 44 goals across all competitions, claiming the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Boot.

While the personal accolades rolled in, team success fell way short of expectations both for the club and the player. Now, heading into his second season in white, the shirt number upgrade means higher expectations. 

The No. 10 shirt has always represented more than just digits. At Real Madrid, it’s been worn by players who embody vision, leadership, and class. From Ferenc Puskás to Luis Figo, Mesut Özil, and more recently, Luka Modrić, it’s a shirt with legacy, and now, Mbappé joins that lineage.

Mbappé’s Personal Connection to No. 10

For Mbappé, the No. 10 shirt isn’t new territory. He’s worn it with pride for the French national team, where he’s grown into not just their star player, but their captain and attacking talisman. So in many ways, this move brings his club and international identities into alignment.

While he wore No. 7 at PSG, mostly because Neymar had already claimed the 10, Mbappé has long associated himself with that number. Now, in Madrid, it’s finally his on every front. There’s also a branding layer to all this. Linking his Real Madrid identity with his French No. 10 image makes Mbappé’s profile even more potent off the pitch. 

Shirt Sales, Squad Changes & What’s Coming Next

From a commercial perspective, Real Madrid knows exactly what it’s doing. Within hours of the announcement, Mbappé’s new No. 10 jersey was teased on official channels. Fans can expect full availability in stores within days. Based on past precedent, think Cristiano Ronaldo’s switch to No. 7 or Jude Bellingham’s No. 5 shirt, sales are expected to skyrocket. The shirt is reportedly priced at €125 for the replica version and around €175 for the authentic match kit.

There are implications beyond the merchandise racks. Mbappé’s move to No. 10 opens up the No. 9 shirt, previously his. That’s an interesting development with young stars like Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia waiting in the wings. Whether one of them takes the number or it’s held back for a future signing remains to be seen.

Elsewhere in the squad, Raúl Asensio, the defender has been given the No. 17 shirt left vacant by Lucas Vázquez. Another jersey still up for grabs is No. 25, which could be reserved for a talent like Franco Mastantuono.

A Number With Weight, and Expectations

There’s no doubt Mbappé will look the part in the No. 10 shirt, but now he’ll have to live up to it. This isn’t just a number switch. It’s a signal from Real Madrid that Kylian Mbappé is now the face of the team, the player who will lead their attack, and by extension, their future.

In the past, Modrić wore that shirt with elegance and poise, running the show from midfield for over a decade. Mbappé is a different kind of No. 10 explosive, direct, goal machine, but make no mistake, the burden of expectation is the same.

The new La Liga season kicks off on August 19, when Real Madrid face Osasuna at the Bernabéu. That will mark the first time Mbappé walks out in the No. 10 shirt, and millions will be watching. What happens over the next nine months will judge whether this number change is just a fresh chapter or the start of a legendary new era. Both club and player are expected to deliver this time, not just one.