Kylian Mbappe is set to miss out on his dream Real Madrid shirt number after Luka Modric agreed to extend his contract.
Mbappe’s long-awaited move to the 15-time European champions was finally confirmed on Monday, with the forward signing a five-year deal worth an eye-watering £12.8million per season.
He was expected to inherit the historic No. 10 shirt, which has been worn by the likes of Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Mesut Ozil and Ferenc Puskas, but it seems Mbappe will now have to wait for at least another year.
Modric currently wears No. 10 and it has been widely reported that he is set to sign a new one-year deal to remain at the Bernabeu. And according to French outlet Le Parisien, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is set to continue wearing No. 10 despite the signing of Mbappe.
The report states that Mbappe is instead set to don the No. 9 shirt, which has been vacant since Karim Benzema left Madrid for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad. Cristiano Ronaldo also wore the shirt during his first season in Madrid, before taking the No. 7 after club legend Raul left for Schalke.
And Mbappe could do something similar, with Le Parisien stating that he will switch to the No. 10 next season when Modric ‘will leave the club for good’. Real Madrid confirmed the signing of Mbappe with a simple statement, while the player called them his “dream” club.
“A dream come true,” he wrote on social media. “So happy and proud to join the club of my dream, Real Madrid. Nobody can understand how excited I am right now. Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!”
Luka Modric is set to keep the No. 10 shirt after agreeing a one-year contract extension ( Image: THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
Modric, meanwhile, recently stated he would like to retire at Real Madrid and he will be 39 at the end of next season. ” I have always said that I would like to retire at Real Madrid,” he told Cadena COPE.
“It would be a dream to retire at home, at the club of my life, and I hope that happens. I have the physique and football to continue in the elite, I have no doubt. There has been a lot of talk about age and it bothers me.
“At Real Madrid the best players get on the field. Now I feel strong, but that can change in six months and if I see that I can no longer do it, I’ll be the first to admit it.”
