KYL JOY
Kylian Mbappe ‘set to take temporary shirt number’ at Real Madrid despite following in footsteps of fellow France legend
Cristiano Ronaldo faced identical problem after world-record transfer
KYLIAN MBAPPE is set to take a temporary shirt number at Real Madrid, according to reports.
The French superstar's free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to the Bernabeu was confirmed on Monday.
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Mbappe, 25, will link up with his new Los Blancos team-mates after the Euros.
But he is not expected to wear his favoured shirt number to start with.
Mbappe wore the No7 for PSG and is France's No10.
However, both of those numbers are currently occupied.
But he may well get hold of his top pick after one season ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
That is because while Vinicius Junior looks set to keep hold of the No7 jersey for the foreseeable future, Luka Modric may well vacate the No10 after the end of next term.
Modric turns 39 in September but agreed to extend his Real contract by 12 months following their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
As a result, Le Parisien report Mbappe will begin his Madrid career in the No9.
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That number - synonymous with goalscorers in football - has been available since last summer following Karim Benzema's exit for the Saudi Pro League.
It means Mbappe will succeed his fellow Frenchman but will no doubt try and make the switch to No10 as soon as he can.
Kylian Mbappe signs for Real Madrid
Mbappe did wear No29, No14 and No17 at PSG but settled with the No7.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a similar predicament when he joined the club in 2009.
CR7 was unable to have his usual No7 shirt because it was still occupied by legend Raul.
So Ronaldo wore the No9 for one year until Raul left then moved to No7, allowing Benzema to take the No9.
Brazilian Ronaldo also wore the No9 during his spell at the Bernabeu - but Mbappe will be following in the footsteps of plenty of Real Madrid stars when he gets hold of Modric's No10.
Kylian Mbappe ‘snaps up £15m mansion in Beckham’s old neighbourhood’ next door to Real Madrid legend and Hollywood star
By Gerard Couzens
KYLIAN MBAPPE has reportedly splashed out more than £15million on a mansion in Madrid.
The French superstar, whose drawn-out transfer to Real Madrid has finally being confirmed, is said to have finalised the purchase late last month.
Respected Spanish daily La Razon says the house he has bought is in the exclusive Madrid suburb of La Moraleja, where David Beckham spent most of his time living when he was in the Spanish capital.
And it says his neighbours will include former Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos and his stunning model wife Pilar Rubio as well as Hollywood star Richard Gere and his Spanish publicist wife Alejandra Silva.
La Razon said Mbappe had considered the gated estate of La Finca where Jude Bellingham lives and Cristiano Ronaldo still owns property as an option.
But it reported the 25-year-old, who threw an extravagant party for 250 guests at a stylish Italian restaurant a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, ended up opting for La Moraleja a 15-minute drive from Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex because it was “more comfortable.”
The likes of Luis Figo, Clarence Seedorf, Ferenc Puskas, Gheorge Hagi, Robinho, Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez all wore the number in the famous white shirt.
Mbappe's contract at PSG expires this summer after 256 goals in 308 appearances.
And he put pen to paper with the European champions on a five-year deal in the Spanish capital.
Mbappe posted a series of throwback snaps in Real Madrid training kit and meeting Ronaldo.
He said: "A dream come true.
"So happy and proud to join the club of my dreams, Real Madrid.
How Kylian Mbappe’s incredible seven-year body transformation propelled skinny teen into world’s best player
By Etienne Fermie
KYLIAN MBAPPE has entered his physical prime as he has FINALLY rubber-stamped his free transfer move to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old has grown from a boy to a man in Ligue 1, first with Monaco and then with current side Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe debuted for Monaco as a skinny 16-year-old in 2015.
He even featured as a scrawny youngster against Tottenham at the old White Hart Lane that year, before fans realised what an icon he would become.
The following season, Mbappe really rose to superstardom as Monaco reached the Champions League semi-finals.
In a throwback snap shared earlier this week, an 18-year-old Mbappe could be seen chatting to a reporter after grabbing a Champions League brace against Borussia Dortmund in April 2017.
"Nobody can understand how excited I am right now.
"Can’t wait to see you, Madridistas, and thanks for your unbelievable support. ¡Hala Madrid!"
Fans were so excited about the news that the Real Madrid website crashed on Monday afternoon.
The World Cup winner is set to earn a reported £12.8million per year after tax - a whopping £51m pay cut from his mega-money deal at the Parc des Princes.
Although he will get a £106.5m signing-on bonus spread across the length of the contract.
Read More on The US Sun
And he will no doubt waste little time in repaying that by linking up with Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius in a star-studded Real attack.
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