What number is Mbappé for Real Madrid? – Kylian Mbappe is set to wear the No.9 shirt for one season at Real Madrid before switching to his preferred number.
Kylian MbappeReal MadridLaLigaLuka ModricFrance
Kylian Mbappe will don the iconic No.9 jersey at Real Madrid, a number famously worn by Bernabeu legend Alfredo Di Stefano. However, this arrangement is temporary, and Mbappe will sport this number for just one year.
Key Points:
Temporary Number: Mbappe will wear the No.9 shirt temporarily.
Current Number Unavailable: His preferred jersey number is currently taken.
Future Plans: Mbappe will receive his preferred long-term number in 2025.
What Happened?
Once Kylian Mbappe officially joins Real Madrid, he is expected to be unveiled as the latest wearer of the club’s No.9 shirt. This jersey has been vacant since Karim Benzema’s departure last summer.
However, according to reports from Le Parisien, this is merely a temporary solution. Mbappe has become synonymous with the No.7 at the club level and No.10 on the international stage throughout his career, and he is anticipated to switch to his preferred number in the future.
The Bigger Picture
With Vinicius Junior firmly holding the No.7 jersey at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe’s preferred number is No.10. This number is currently occupied by veteran midfielder Luka Modric.
However, with Modric nearing 39 years of age, Mbappe may only need to be patient for a short time. It is expected that Modric will have his contract extended for one more year until 2025.
After that, the long-serving Bernabeu hero is likely to leave the club, vacating the No.10 jersey.
Thus, for the 2025-26 season, Mbappe is anticipated to become Real Madrid’s new No.10, following in the footsteps of legendary players such as Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Ricardo Gallego, and Ferenc Puskas.
Luka-Modric | Getty Images
Did You Know?
When Cristiano Ronaldo first joined Real Madrid in 2009, he employed a similar strategy to the one Kylian Mbappe is set to use. Initially, Ronaldo took the No.9 shirt because his preferred No.7 was occupied by club legend Raul. After one season, Raul left, allowing Ronaldo to take over the No.7 jersey.
Unlike Ronaldo, Mbappe has never worn the No.9 shirt since his spectacular breakthrough as a 17-year-old at Monaco. Instead, he has worn numbers 29 and 12 during his early career.
What Next for Mbappe?
Despite his impending arrival at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has a busy schedule ahead. He is determined to lead France to their first European Championship victory since 2000. Les Bleus are among the favorites for the tournament, alongside England and hosts Germany.
However, Mbappe’s aspirations to cap off the summer by representing his country at the Olympics on home soil have been dashed, as he was left out of the squad.
Real Madrid had previously made it clear that they would not permit their players to participate in the Olympics, prioritizing their commitments to the club.
Kylian Mbappe is a French professional footballer widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. Born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy, France, he rose to prominence as a teenager at AS Monaco, helping them win the Ligue 1 title in 2017.
He then moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where he has won multiple domestic titles and been a key player in their success. Known for his incredible speed, dribbling, and finishing skills, Mbappe has also been instrumental in France’s international achievements, including their 2018 World Cup victory.
As of 2024, he is set to join Real Madrid, where he is expected to continue his illustrious career.