Kylian Mbappe officially takes over Luka Modric’s legacy: Why him becoming Real Madrid’s new No. 10 is a bigger deal than you think

In what may prove to be the symbolic turning point of a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid has officially handed the iconic number 10 shirt to Kylian Mbappe, the French superstar who joined the club last season. It’s more than just a jersey change — it’s a message. A statement. A passing of the torch.

The announcement was subtle but effective. Last week, Mbappe simply posted “10” on X (formerly Twitter). No images, no videos. Just a number. And with it, the entire soccer world understood: The 26-year-old is Real Madrid’s new number 10. On Tuesday, the club’s official website finally acknowledged it, adding the player to the roster with the new shirt number.

Until now, the Frenchman had been wearing the No. 9 shirt during his debut season at Real Madrid, a year that saw him settle into the rhythm of La Liga while Luka Modric remained the rightful owner of the No. 10. But with Modric now having joined Milan following the expiration of his contract, the number became available — and Los Blancos wasted no time offering it to their new face of the future.

According to reports from Diario AS and Le Parisien, some veteran players at the club had also expressed interest in the number, but the decision to give it to Mbappe was unanimous. His impact on the pitch, his marketability, and his growing leadership role under Xabi Alonso made him the clear choice.

This move isn’t just symbolic — it’s strategic. The number 10 jersey at Madrid has a rich legacy. Players like Luis Figo, James Rodriguez, Mesut Ozil, Robinho, and of course, Luka Modric have worn it with pride and distinction.

Familiar territory for France’s No.10

Though Mbappe has never consistently worn the 10 shirt at club level, he’s no stranger to it on the international stage. As France’s number 10, he has led the line with confidence, creativity, and charisma — the very qualities now expected of him in the white of Real Madrid.

His brief experience with the number at Monaco during his early senior appearances hinted at what was to come. But now, Madrid is trusting him to own it completely, much like Zinedine Zidane once did — and much like Modric had for over a decade.

Marketing earthquake in the making

Mbappe’s jersey switch is more than a soccer decision — it’s a marketing masterstroke. The club is preparing to officially announce the number 10 kit in the coming days, and insiders believe it could break previous sales records.

To put it into context: when the superstar forward joined and received the number 9 shirt, demand was so overwhelming that Adidas delayed delivery times by more than a month. A similar frenzy is expected now — possibly even greater, given the legacy of the number 10.

And with Mbappe now the centerpiece of Real Madrid’s brand, this change is both a sporting and commercial power play.