Real Madrid is once again the epicenter of football drama, and this time, it revolves around its most high-profile signing in recent years—Kylian Mbappé. In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the club and its global fanbase, Mbappé has reportedly delivered a harsh ultimatum to president Florentino Pérez: if young Turkish prodigy Arda Güler is awarded the legendary number 10 shirt once worn by Luka Modrić, the French superstar will terminate his contract and look for a new team.
Mbappé’s demand is not just about a number—it’s about respect, hierarchy, and identity within the Real Madrid locker room. The number 10 at Real Madrid is more than fabric; it’s a legacy. Luka Modrić, one of the most decorated midfielders in football history, carried it with elegance and consistency for over a decade. Now, with Modrić entering what many believe to be his final season and taking a backseat role, the shirt has become available—and the battle over it has begun.
According to sources close to the club, Real Madrid was leaning toward assigning the number to Arda Güler, a 20-year-old playmaker who has been dazzling in training and has captured the admiration of coach Xabi Alonso. The move was intended as a symbolic transition to the next generation, honoring Güler’s talent and potential. But to Mbappé, the decision is a direct affront to his status within the team and undermines his authority as the face of Real Madrid’s future.
Mbappé arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu last summer after a prolonged transfer saga that stretched over several years. Hailed as the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo’s throne, he came with towering expectations, a record-breaking contract, and the hope of guiding Madrid into a new golden era. Yet, despite moments of brilliance, the Frenchman’s first season has been turbulent. His underwhelming display at the Club World Cup added to the scrutiny, and tensions within the squad have slowly begun to surface.
Behind closed doors, Mbappé has reportedly voiced frustration at being placed on equal footing with players he views as unproven. Güler, while immensely talented, is still largely untested in the big leagues. The idea of him donning Modrić’s shirt—a symbol of leadership, seniority, and tradition—feels premature to the Frenchman. For Mbappé, such a gesture signifies a power shift he’s unwilling to accept.
Xabi Alonso, who recently took charge as head coach, now finds himself at a crossroads. A staunch advocate of meritocracy, Alonso has publicly praised Güler for his work ethic, humility, and raw ability. Giving him the number 10 would reinforce the message that effort and performance trump reputation. But in doing so, Alonso risks alienating his star player—a player the club invested heavily in, both financially and in branding.
Florentino Pérez is no stranger to high-stakes diplomacy. From managing Ronaldo’s ego to negotiating with Galácticos past and present, he has always been the club’s ultimate power broker. However, the Mbappé-Güler dispute presents a new kind of challenge—one that tests not just the president’s political finesse, but the very foundation of his current project. Giving in to Mbappé might prevent immediate unrest, but it could also erode Alonso’s authority and discourage emerging talents.
Meanwhile, speculation is already swirling across Europe. Manchester City, PSG, and Bayern Munich are monitoring the situation closely, prepared to pounce if the unthinkable happens and Mbappé becomes available. Though a transfer seems unlikely this window due to contractual and financial complexities, the mere suggestion has unsettled Madridistas, many of whom had waited years to see Mbappé wear the white jersey.
Arda Güler, for his part, remains silent amid the noise. Insiders describe him as focused, grounded, and eager to prove himself through football, not headlines. For him, the number on his back is secondary to the badge on his chest. But even his silence speaks volumes about the maturity and poise that led the club to consider him for such an iconic shirt.
The Real Madrid fanbase is now deeply divided. Some stand firmly with Mbappé, arguing that the team must protect its marquee player at all costs. Others believe the club should resist individual ultimatums and promote fairness and continuity. What all fans agree on, however, is that the current standoff threatens the unity of a squad that was supposed to dominate European football for years to come.
This saga is more than a petty squabble over jersey numbers—it’s a window into the ongoing power dynamics inside one of football’s most elite institutions. Whether this crisis ends in compromise or catastrophe will depend on how well Florentino Pérez, Xabi Alonso, and the club’s leadership can balance star power with team harmony.
In the meantime, preseason continues. But instead of discussing tactics or potential title races, the spotlight is now on a number—and the two players who want it for very different reasons. The decision Real Madrid makes in the coming days could shape not only the future of Güler and Mbappé but the direction of the entire club for years to come.