Madrid Faces Decision on Player Cull: Which One Might Depart?
Real Madrid is gearing up for the 2025-26 season, and one of the most intriguing questions hanging in the air is who will don the coveted number 9 jersey. With Kylian Mbappe switching to the number 10 shirt, the number 9 is now vacant, and two young strikers, Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia, are vying for the spot.
The club's new head coach, Xabi Alonso, has a big decision to make. Endrick, who wears the number 16, and Gonzalo Garcia, yet to be assigned a first-team squad number, are the frontrunners. Mundo Deportivo reports that Endrick's entourage is confident in his abilities and believes he can convince Alonso of his worth. However, Gonzalo has not publicly expressed such confidence in his discussions with the coach.
Last season, Carlo Ancelotti, who is now the manager of the Brazil national team, was at the helm of Real Madrid. Under his tenure, Mbappe wore the number 9 jersey. However, Ancelotti's departure has opened the door for a new face to take charge and make a decision on the number 9 shirt.
Alonso's 4-4-2 formation is likely to have Vinicius partnering Mbappe up front, with only one youngster between Endrick and Gonzalo. This season promises to be an exciting one, with Alonso facing a tough decision regarding who to choose between the two promising strikers.
The semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain last season resulted in a 4-0 loss for Real Madrid. Despite this setback, both Endrick and Gonzalo showed promise in their performances. Endrick, although injured and unfit for the Club World Cup, has been linked to potential moves elsewhere, with interest from Spain or abroad. However, his entourage has stated that he has no intention of leaving Real Madrid temporarily.
Gonzalo Garcia, on the other hand, took advantage of the opportunity presented by Mbappe's absence and scored several goals at the FIFA tournament. He has also been linked to Premier League clubs, but he has not expressed any desire to leave the club at the moment, either on loan or through a sale with a buy-back clause.
The competition for the number 9 jersey is heating up, and the race to secure the spot is far from over. As the season approaches, fans will be eagerly waiting to see who Alonso will choose to lead the attack for Real Madrid.
[1] Source: Real Madrid Official Website [2] Source: Marca
Carlo Ancelotti, former Real Madrid manager, has already managed Kylian Mbappe wearing the number 9 jersey during his tenure. Now, with Ancelotti gone, Xabi Alonso, the new head coach, must decide who will don the coveted number 9 jersey between Endrick and Gonzalo Garcia for the 2025-26 season. [1]
Meanwhile, both Endrick and Gonzalo have been impressive in European-leagues and football competitions, such as the 2024 Club World Cup and the FIFA tournament, respectively. Despite interests from clubs in Spain, specifically Real Madrid, and abroad for Endrick, and Gonzalo being linked to Premier League clubs, neither player has expressed any desire to leave Real Madrid at the moment. The competition for the number 9 jersey is heating up within the sports realm, as fans eagerly await Alonso's decision on who will lead the attack for Real Madrid. [2]
