Madrid, Spain

It was a significant day in the history of football transfers on Monday (June 3) after Real Madrid announced the arrival of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer. Termed as the most decorative free transfer in the history of football, Mbappe becomes the latest Galactico to join the force at the Spanish capital. There has been suspense around Mbappe’s kit number and he is likely succeeding his idols Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

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Mbappe to wear No.9?

According to several reports, Mbappe will don the No.9 kit at Real Madrid after it was revealed that Luka Modric will continue for another year. This meant that Modric would continue to wear No.10 for the 2024-25 season while Mbappe could be handed the vacant No.9 at the club. The number is generally taken by an attacker that suits Mbappe for at least a season before he can take over the coveted No.10 from Modric.

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The number was once donned by Mbappe’s idol Cristiano Ronaldo while his countryman Karim Benzema was the last player to wear the famous number. Interestingly, like Mbappe, Ronaldo also took the shirt number temporarily in the 2009-10 season with club legend Raul Gonzalez then wearing No.7.

It is expected that after the 2024-25 season, Modric will announce his retirement from club football which will pave the way for the French superstar to take the number.

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Since the 2009-10 season, Benzema took the No. 9 kit until he left the club in 2022 for the Saudi Pro League. Other famous names to wear the No. 9 include Alfredo di Stéfano, Davor Suker and Vicente del Bosque.

As things stand, Vinicius Jr will wear No.7, Rodrygo No.11, Federico Valverde No.15 while Jude Bellingham will have his number 5.

Real Madrid continue dominance

The current European champions will also add Brazilian attacker Endrick to their ranks in the coming days after completing his transfer in the January transfer window. They will only get stronger as their squad age will be a big factor in the years to come. Real Madrid will be expected to be the favourites to win the Champions League in the 2024-25 season with the fire power they will have at their disposal.