Kylian Mbappe will wear the No.9 shirt at Real Madrid made famous by Bernabeu legend Alfredo Di Stefano, but only for one year.
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Mbappe to take temporary shirtPreferred jersey already takenWill get long-term number in 2025WHAT HAPPENED?
Once Mbappe officially becomes a Real Madrid player, he is expected to be unveiled as the latest wearer of the club's No.9 shirt, which was been vacant since Karim Benzema left last summer. But has reported that is just a temporary solution for a player who has become synonymous with No.7 at club level and No.10 at international level during his career.
Advertisement(C)GettyImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
With Vinicius Junior locked into No.7 in the Spanish capital, Mbappe's preference is No.10. That is currently occupied by veteran midfielder Luka Modric, but with the Croatian soon to turn 39 years of age, Mbappe might only have to be a little bit patient. The expectation appears to be that Modric will get one more year added to his contract until 2025, after which the long-serving Bernabeu hero will leave the club…and vacate his number. Therefore, come 2025-26, Mbappe should be Madrid's new No.10, following in the footsteps of other former greats like Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Ricardo Gallego and Ferenc Puskas.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cristiano Ronaldo used a similar tactic when he first joined Madrid in 2009, initially taking the No.9 shirt because his preferred No.7 was already occupied by club legend Raul. After one season, Raul left and Ronaldo could take over the jersey. Mbappe has never worn No.9 since his spectacular breakthrough as a 17-year-old at Monaco, but has donned 29 and 12.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MBAPPE?
Notwithstanding his arrival at Real Madrid, Mbappe has a busy time ahead as he aims to lead France to European Championship glory for the first time since 2000. Les Bleus are among the pre-tournament favourites alongside England and hosts Germany, although Mbappe's dreams of finishing the summer by also representing his country at the Olympics on home soil are over after being left out of the squad. Madrid had earlier firmly ruled out allowing their players to compete.