Real Madrid has assigned Kilian Mbappe the tenth jersey number to wear during games.
In a historic move, French football sensation Kylian Mbappé has been assigned the iconic number 10 shirt for the upcoming 2025/2026 La Liga season at Real Madrid. This prestigious number, worn by some of the club's most skilled and influential players, is synonymous with creativity, leadership, and attacking excellence.
Mbappé's new assignment comes after the departure of Luka Modrić, who wore the number 10 from 2012 until 2025. Modrić's tenure was marked by multiple UEFA Champions League titles and personal accolades, including the Ballon d'Or in 2018.
The number 10 shirt has been associated with global football stars and significant titles throughout Real's history. Notable wearers include Ferenc Puskás, a legendary forward and one of the greatest in football history, who helped Real Madrid to numerous domestic league titles and European successes during the 1960s.
Another iconic number 10 was Luis Figo, who played a crucial role for the club in the early 2000s, adding a significant attacking threat and contributing to multiple trophies including La Liga titles.
Mesut Özil, who wore number 10 from 2010 to 2013, was renowned for his creativity, tallying 27 goals and 80 assists, often setting up teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, and Higuaín.
Other notable number 10s include Raymond Kopa, one of the early stars in Real Madrid’s history, who won the 1958 Ballon d'Or, and Gheorghe Hagi, Fernando Hierro (who was a defender but wore number 10 at one point), Wesley Sneijder, James Rodríguez, and Lassana Diarra.
Mbappé, who previously won the World Cup and the Nations League with the French national team, as well as the League Cup twice with Paris Saint-Germain and the French championship with Monaco, had a prolific previous season at Real wearing the number 9 shirt. He scored 44 goals and provided 5 assists, winning the European Golden Shoe for being the top goalscorer in the leagues of UEFA member countries.
As Mbappé prepares to wear the number 10 shirt, he follows in the footsteps of these legendary players, ready to make his own mark on Real Madrid's storied history.
References: [1] Real Madrid Official Website. (n.d.). Number 10. Retrieved from https://www.realmadrid.com/en/club/history/numbers/10 [2] ESPN FC. (2025). Kylian Mbappé to wear the number 10 shirt at Real Madrid. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/real-madrid/story/4734249/kylian-mbappe-to-wear-the-number-10-shirt-at-real-madrid [3] BBC Sport. (2025). Kylian Mbappé joins Real Madrid on free transfer. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59083744
European leagues will eagerly watch as Laliga's newest number 10, Kylian Mbappé, steps into Real Madrid's rich history, emulating the creative play and leadership synonymous with the iconic number 10 shirt. This highly anticipated shift comes following the departure of Luka Modrić, who donned the number 10 for over a decade and amassed numerous titles and accolades.
