Real Madrid has officially announced that star forward Kylian Mbappé will wear the club’s iconic number 10 shirt for the 2025-26 season, following long-standing speculation about the number change. After a source informed ESPN on July 22 that the 26-year-old French international would transition from the number 9 he wore during his inaugural season at the Santiago Bernabéu, Mbappé confirmed the news himself the next day with a simple “10” post on X.
Last season, Mbappé was the team’s top scorer, netting 44 goals in 59 appearances while donning the legendary number 9, an achievement that earned him the first European Golden Shoe of his career. Notably, he previously wore the number 10 at Paris Saint-Germain, where Neymar held that title before it was passed to Ousmane Dembélé. With this new number, he will honor the legacy left by Luka Modric, who recently departed for AC Milan after an illustrious 13-year tenure at Madrid.
The number 10 shirt holds immense historical value at Real Madrid, having been worn by some of the club’s most celebrated stars. A look back reveals a roster filled with legends who have donned this number, from Günter Netzer to James Rodríguez, making it a symbol of excellence and prestige in the club’s history.
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1. Raymond Copa
Copa first captured the attention of Real Madrid with his performance in France, where his skills earned him the nickname “Little Napoleon.” He joined the club in 1956, and though he lost his first European Cup final with Stade de Reims, he quickly became a key figure in a dominant Madrid side, winning three European Cups and two La Liga titles by the end of the decade. His legacy lives on today, as the award for the best players under 21 is named after him.
2. Ferenc Puskás
Alongside Copa and Di Stéfano, Puskás is remembered as one of the greatest footballers in Real Madrid’s history, donning the number 10 jersey between 1958 and 1964. Joining at 31, the Hungarian legend played a pivotal role in the club’s success, contributing to three European Cups and five consecutive La Liga titles, becoming the league’s top scorer several times. Despite retiring in 1966, he remains sixth on Madrid’s all-time goal-scoring list with an impressive 242 goals in just 262 appearances.
3. Uli Stielike
Stielike made a name for himself with Borussia Mönchengladbach before transferring to Madrid in the late 1970s. He was an integral part of the team, helping secure a La Liga title in his first season and contributing to the club’s triumph in the UEFA Cup in 1985. Stielike wore the coveted number 10 jersey from 1979 to 1983, solidifying his status as a fan favorite.
4. Gheorghe Hagi
Hagi, a standout talent from Romania, caught the spotlight after a strong World Cup in 1990, leading to his move to Real Madrid. He had a solid first season but struggled with the team’s lack of success during his tenure before departing for Brescia. Hagi went on to have a successful career at Galatasaray, cementing his legacy as one of football’s most talented midfielders.
5. Fernando Hierro
Hierro, known for his significant contributions to Madrid’s success, temporarily wore the number 10 jersey during the 1991-92 season after Hagi’s exit. He made a major impact, scoring 25 goals while primarily playing as a defender, yet his efforts couldn’t secure any silverware that season, marking a rare dip for the club.
6. Michael Laudrup
Laudrup, a product of Barcelona’s golden “Dream Team,” had a successful spell at Madrid, securing the league title in his first year. Despite a less impressive second season, his influence on the club remains significant, marking him as one of the greats in both Madrid and Barcelona’s histories.
7. Clarence Seedorf
The Dutch midfielder enjoyed a productive tenure at Real Madrid, winning both the Champions League and La Liga early in his career. Although he faced competition for playing time under a new coach in 1999 and eventually returned to Serie A, his contributions to Madrid’s successes are well-regarded.
8. Luís Figo
After transferring from Barcelona to Madrid in a highly publicized move in 2000, Figo became the club’s new number 10. He enjoyed considerable success, winning La Liga and the Champions League while making a significant impact on the pitch, becoming known for his skill and ability to deliver crucial performances despite facing hostility from his former fans.
9. Mesut Özil
Özil made a name for himself in the Bundesliga before joining Real Madrid, where he quickly won over fans by providing numerous assists. In the 2011-12 season, he took over the number 10 shirt and played a vital role in the team’s success, forming a strong partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and contributing significantly to winning La Liga.
10. Luka Modric
Modric, who succeeded Özil after his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, quickly became a central figure in the midfield and led the team to numerous victories, including two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles. He took over the number 10 shirt in 2017, continuing a legacy of excellence that saw him become a crucial player in Madrid’s success.
This news matters significantly to soccer fans because Mbappé’s switch to the number 10 shirt symbolizes his status as a marquee player in one of the world’s most prestigious clubs. It could also ignite further interest and excitement, not only for Real Madrid, but for the sport overall as he aims to replicate the heroics achieved by the legendary figures who previously wore the number.
