Mbappé receives approval from Luka Modric as he takes on the number 10 shirt at Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé has officially taken over Real Madrid’s prestigious No. 10 shirt following Luka Modrić’s departure, with the Croatian legend publicly endorsing the French star as his successor.
The announcement was made on Friday (July 29) via Real Madrid’s official Instagram, where the club unveiled the jersey change. Mbappé, who wore No. 9 in his debut season at the Bernabéu, now inherits a number previously worn by some of the club’s greatest icons—including Modrić, who left a decade-long legacy at the club.
The competition for the shirt reportedly came down to Mbappé and rising talent Arda Güler. However, commercial considerations and symbolism played a key role. According to internal sources, club president Florentino Pérez sees Mbappé’s new number as a marketing goldmine, aiming to replicate the record-breaking shirt sales that followed the striker’s initial signing.
Modrić Backs the Decision
Shortly after the announcement, Luka Modrić voiced his approval on social media, symbolically passing the torch. His post featuring a photo of him and Mbappé, captioned simply “Luka Modrić x Kylian Mbappé ,” garnered widespread attention and approval from fans.
A Familiar Number for Mbappé
Though it’s new at Madrid, the No. 10 holds deep significance for Mbappé. He famously wore the same number during France’s victorious 2022 World Cup campaign, further solidifying his connection to the shirt.
Throughout his career, the 26-year-old has rotated through various jersey numbers. At AS Monaco, he wore nine different numbers before eventually donning the No. 10 in his final season. At Paris Saint-Germain, he made the No. 7 shirt iconic. Now at Real Madrid, his progression from No. 9 to No. 10 reflects his central role in the club’s present and future.
With Modrić’s public support and the club’s full backing, Mbappé is poised to not only wear the No. 10 but also carry its legacy into a new era of success at the Santiago Bernabéu.
