As Real Madrid gears up for the FIFA Club World Cup, a new era is taking shape at the Santiago Bernabeu. With Xabi Alonso stepping into the manager’s role and Luka Modric preparing his emotional farewell, change is in the air — both tactically and symbolically. Yet amid all the transitions, it’s Kylian Mbappe, the club’s new talisman and top scorer, who stands at the center of another significant shift: a dramatic jersey change that will mark a symbolic passing of the torch.
The question on everyone’s mind now: Which number will Mbappe wear next?
Xabi Alonso is set to make his managerial debut with Real Madrid at the Club World Cup in the United States, and the anticipation is palpable. The former midfield maestro brings a cerebral edge and promises a blend of calculated control and aggressive attacking soccer, a philosophy likely to influence not only tactics but also personnel decisions.
“Alonso’s strategy promises a fascinating blend of control and aggression, hinting at exciting changes both on the field and behind the scenes,” reported Marca. Those changes begin with farewells and fresh starts — none more emotionally charged than the impending departure of Luka Modric, one of Madrid’s most revered figures.
Farewell to a legend: Modric’s last dance
Luka Modric, who has worn the No. 10 jersey since 2017, will play his final matches for the club during the Club World Cup. Though he will wear the iconic number for the last time in the United States, his departure leaves a void not just in midfield, but in the symbolic identity of Real Madrid.
“The Croatian star has served as Real Madrid’s most reliable midfielder for over a decade and his departure comes as a huge development in the club’s trajectory,” noted Diario AS. With Modric bowing out, the No. 10 shirt becomes vacant — and all signs point to Mbappe as the heir to that legacy.
Mbappe to inherit Madrid’s No. 10
The Frenchman will switch to the No. 10 jersey after the Club World Cup, a number he already wears for the French national team. Until now, he has worn No. 9, a respectful nod to his predecessor Karim Benzema, who left Madrid the summer before his compatriot’s arrival.
But with the midfield maestro’s exit, the opportunity arises to step into one of the most illustrious shirts in Real Madrid history — a shirt once worn by Ferenc Puskas, Luis Figo, Mesut Ozil, and Clarence Seedorf. According to El Chiringuito, “Mbappe has been offered the iconic No. 10 shirt at Real Madrid,” signaling a shift in not just his position on the team sheet, but his status within the club’s historic narrative.
