The 2025 Ballon d’Or nominees list has officially been unveiled ahead of the 69th edition of the world’s most prestigious soccer awards, and once again, two legendary names are absent.

Just days before Real Madrid kicks off the 2025-26 campaign, Kylian Mbappe has ignited excitement and expectation among fans with a powerful show of intent.

A young Real Madrid player could be chosen as the new owner of the No. 9 jersey worn last season by Kylian Mbappe.

As Real Madrid enters a new era stacked with elite talents like Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham, it might surprise some to learn that the player tipped to succeed Lionel Messi as Argentina’s next great No. 10 is not one of the club’s global superstars.

With a month left in the 2025 summer transfer window, the landscape of world soccer has been shaken by Transfermarkt’s updated ranking of the most valuable players on the planet.

With the arrival of Kylian Mbappe and a dramatic reshuffle of shirt numbers at the club, Los Blancos have set in motion a commercial strategy that closely mirrors Barcelona’s successful blueprint with Lamine Yamal.

Among all the talent and ambition, one mystery had fans curious: what shirt number would the Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono wear?

While the likes of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe dazzled on the pitch, a global icon currently plying his trade in the United States quietly dominated a key statistic back in Spain.

After a debut season with 44 goals in 59 matches, Kylian Mbappé has officially taken over the No. 10 shirt at Real Madrid, following the departure of Luka Modric. The number holds historic significance, previously worn by legends like Figo, Modric, and Puskás.

With Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham all commanding massive attention, it was natural to assume that Alonso’s project would be centered around one of them.

It’s more than just a jersey change — it’s a message. A statement. A passing of the torch.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland could come together in the famous white shirt. But for that dream to come to life, Real Madrid may need to sacrifice two of their own brightest stars — Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.

Cristiano Ronaldo averaged 53 goals per season from his second year at Madrid, dipping below 50 only twice. Mbappé, while prolific, has only hit those numbers three times in his career. He’s viewed as CR7’s heir at Real Madrid, both on the field and as a commercial icon.

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has conquered a realm of soccer reserved for global superstars, becoming the most valuable player in world soccer.

Kylian Mbappé is set to inherit the No. 10 jersey at Real Madrid, a number worn by legends like Luka Modrić, Luis Figo and even Ferenc Puskás. It's not just a shirt—it's a statement, and Mbappé’s arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter for the most iconic club in soccer.