LaLiga: Mbappe Explains Decision Not to Take Real Madrid’s No. 10 Shirt from Modric

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has explained why he chose not to take the no. 10 shirt from Luka Modric. Mbappe was formally unveiled by the LaLiga giants on Tuesday in front of a packed Santiago Bernabeu. The 25-year-old arrived as a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.

At PSG, Mbappe wore the no. 10 shirt, the same number he wears for France. However, he opted for the no. 9 shirt at Madrid, allowing Modric to keep the no. 10 for what could be his final season in Spain.

Mbappe clarified that he never demanded the shirt:

“I never said I wanted this number… it’s Luka Modric’s number.

“I’m honored to play with Modric. He’s a champion, a Ballon d’Or winner, and I respect him so much,” he said at his unveiling.