The first time I watched Real Madrid was in 2014. I was 11 back then. It was the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid, and Luka Modric had just landed an accurate-as-an-arrow corner in for Sergio Ramos to score the legendary 92:48 goal to win La Decima. I have been watching Modric since then.
Now, I am 22, and Luka Modric is still here, albeit only for a few weeks. The legendary number 10 that he wore will soon be without a suitor. And though it will be a big task to fill Modric’s boots in the sporting sense, it will be another huge one to fill the number 10 shirt in its symbolic sense.
Real Madrid gave the legendary 7 to Vinicius Jr, and the player has only been better ever since. The recent dip in form does not concern me much. I know he will be back. Every deserving number 7 has.
These numbers, in modern football, are almost fictitious. More than sporting value, they carry value for the eyes. Seven, ten, nine, eight, these are symbols of prestige a player carries on his back.
For Los Blancos to replace Modric’s 10 is not going to be easy. But it looks like they have made their decision.
Real Madrid will give number 10 to their best forward
According to Diario AS, Los Blancos have decided that after Modric’s departure, the number 10 is going to be handed over to Kylian Mbappe. And I believe it was a no-brainer to do so.
The number has Mbappe written all over it. He has written history with it with his national team. Now is the time to do it again, at home, in Madrid.
Mbappe has always maintained that the number on his back does not bother him.
Very poetically before the press, he said that he does not look at what is on his back, but what is in front of his eyes, the goal, and boy, has he done a good job at charming the goal.
As a big-time Luka Modric fan, I think this decision will rightfully honour the legacy of the Croatian. Mbappe is clearly the most deserving player in this team to get the number, and I have no doubt he will stand true to the prestige and pressure it carries.