According to ESPN, Real Madrid had planned for Mbappe to take the number 10 shirt once it became available. If Luka Modric, who wore the number 10 last season, had extended his contract, Mbappe was prepared to continue wearing number 9 for another season.
However, with Modric's departure from Real Madrid after 13 years to join AC Milan this summer, the number 10 shirt became vacant. Radio Marca reports that although Mbappe didn't request the change, Real Madrid proactively decided to give the iconic number to the 26-year-old superstar. This is also the number he currently wears for the French national team and wore at Monaco early in his career.
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Mbappe will inherit the number 10 shirt at Real Madrid after Modric's departure. Photo: Real Madrid |
Mbappe will inherit the number 10 shirt at Real Madrid after Modric's departure. Photo: Real Madrid
This move not only pleases Mbappe but also promises to generate significant revenue for Real Madrid. After selling hundreds of thousands of number 9 shirts with Mbappe's name last season, the La Liga runners-up expect to break sales records again with the number 10 shirt.
Before Mbappe and Modric, the number 10 shirt at Real Madrid was worn by James Rodriguez and Mesut Ozil.
Mbappe joined Real Madrid last summer on a high-profile free transfer from PSG. He immediately made an impact, scoring 31 goals and winning the La Liga Golden Boot. With 44 goals across all competitions, he also surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo's 33 goals during his debut season with Real Madrid in 2009-2010. Four of Mbappe's goals came in finals: a 2-0 win against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, a 3-0 victory over Pachuca in the FIFA Club World Cup, and losses to Barca in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
However, from a team perspective, Mbappe and Real Madrid didn't win any major titles. They finished second to Barca in La Liga and were eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals by Arsenal. In the recent FIFA Club World Cup in the US, Mbappe missed the group stage matches due to acute gastroenteritis. Upon his return for the knockout stage, Real Madrid lost 4-0 to Mbappe's former team, PSG, in the semifinals.
Mbappe is currently on summer vacation with his family. He is expected to return to Real Madrid on 4/8 to prepare for the new season.
Ha Phuong (L'Equipe & ESPN)
