Kylian Mbappe to wear No. 9 shirt in debut season at Real Madrid but will swap numbers when player leaves

Kylian Mbappe will wear the number nine shirt throughout his debut season for Real Madrid before switching to his preferred choice in 2025, according to reports.

The worst kept secret in football was finally confirmed on Monday night, when Real Madrid confirmed the much-anticipated signing of Kylian Mbappe on a five-year deal.

The 25-year-old forward, who has never shied away from expressing his admiration for Los Blancos, opened up on his incoming transfer in an emotional statement.

"A dream come true," he said. "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."

With the transfer confirmed on all fronts, Mbappe's shirt number has also been confirmed, according to French publication Le Parisien.

The report suggests Mbappe will initially line up for the recently-crowned European champions wearing the number nine shirt, which has been vacant since Karim Benzema left in the summer of 2023.

Then, after a certain Luka Modric decides to leave, Mbappe will inherit the number ten jersey, which is said to be his preferred choice.

Modric, who has agreed a new one-year deal at Los Blancos, recently opened up about wanting to retire at the Spanish club after another productive season in their midfield.

“I have always said that I would like to retire at Real Madrid," he said.

"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."

If Mbappe does end up wearing ten on the back of his shirt in 2025, then he will follow in the footsteps of Luis Figo, Ferenc Puskas and Clarence Seedorf, who all donned the famous number.

The Frenchman donned the No.29 shirt when he first moved to Paris Saint-Germain back in the summer of 2017 but eventually landed number seven and has worn it ever since.