Once Mbappe officially becomes a Real Madrid player, he is expected to be unveiled as the latest wearer of the club’s No.9 shirt, which was been vacant since Karim Benzema left last summer. But Le Parisen has reported that is just a temporary solution for a player who has become synonymous with No.7 at club level and No.10 at international level during his career.
With Vinicius Junior locked into No.7 in the Spanish capital, Mbappe’s preference is No.10. That is currently occupied by veteran midfielder Luka Modric, but with the Croatian soon to turn 39 years of age, Mbappe might only have to be a little bit patient.
The expectation appears to be that Modric will get one more year added to his contract until 2025, after which the long-serving Bernabeu hero will leave the club…and vacate his number. Therefore, come 2025-26, Mbappe should be Madrid’s new No.10, following in the footsteps of other former greats like Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Ricardo Gallego and Ferenc Puskas.
Notwithstanding his arrival at Real Madrid, Mbappe has a busy time ahead as he aims to lead France to European Championship glory for the first time since 2000. Les Bleus are among the pre-tournament favourites alongside England and hosts Germany, although Mbappe’s dreams of finishing the summer by also representing his country at the Olympics on home soil are over after being left out of the squad. Madrid had earlier firmly ruled out allowing their players to compete.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.
Source: goal
In other news – Real Madrid signs Kylian Mbappe on free transfer after PSG contract expiry
Real Madrid have announced the signing of Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer after the France captain left Paris Saint-Germain.
The 25-year-old, who is PSG’s record goalscorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances, has signed a five-year contract at the Bernabeu worth €15m (£12.8m) a year after tax. Read more
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