Mbappé to wear number 10 at Real Madrid next season

According to ESPN sources, Kylian Mbappé will wear the number 10 jersey at Real Madrid next season — replacing the number 9 he wore this season.

The number 10 became available after Luka Modric moved to AC Milan — ending his 13-year career at Santiago Bernabéu. Mbappé, who also wears number 10 for the French national team, had planned to take this number once it became available.

The 26-year-old striker has impressed in his debut season with Madrid — scoring 31 goals in LaLiga to claim the top scorer title. Four of his goals came in various finals:

• UEFA Super Cup final vs Atalanta
• FIFA Intercontinental Cup final vs Pachuca
• Copa del Rey final vs Barcelona
• Spanish Supercopa final vs Barcelona

However, Mbappé faced criticism as Madrid failed to secure major trophies — finishing second in LaLiga and getting eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal. His Club World Cup performance was also affected by acute gastroenteritis that kept him out during the group stage.