Real Madrid announce shirt numbers for 2024-25 season as Kylian Mbappe takes No. 9 jersey
Ahead of his official unveiling, Real Madrid have announced Kylian Mbappe's shirt number, along with other changes in the squad numbers. Los Blancos are set to unveil the French superstar as they prepare to commence their pre-season ahead of the 2024-25 season.
A lengthy saga reached its conclusion this summer as Mbappe confirmed that he would be swapping Paris for Madrid. The Frenchman has signed a long-term deal with the European champions, who have targeted him for many years.
The France captain, for the first time in his professional career, will wear the number nine shirt at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Frenchman did not request to receive the number ten shirt out of respect to Luka Modric, who holds it currently (via Fabrizio Romano).
Kylian Mbappe wore the number 29 shirt at Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before picking up the number seven shirt in Paris. The 25-year-old wears the number ten shirt for the French national team.
Mbappe will become the first player to wear the number nine shirt since Karim Benzema, and follows in the footsteps of childhood idol Cristiano Ronaldo in taking the number nine shirt in his first season.
Real Madrid will also change the shirt numbers of some other players. Eduardo Camavinga will take the number six shirt vacated by club legend Nacho Fernandez, while Federico Valverde will have the number eight shirt of Toni Kroos.
Real Madrid announce date for Kylian Mbappe unveiling
Real Madrid also announced their plans for the unveiling of marquee signing Kylian Mbappe, who joins them from PSG as a free agent. The club will hold an official unveiling ceremony for the France international on July 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Mbappe will go on a brief holiday after France's elimination from Euro 2024. France lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-final, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal playing the decisive role for La Roja.
The France captain suffered a fractured nose in the tournament's first game. He managed only one goal and an assist in five matches at the tournament in Germany.