The number 10 jersey is more than cloth and thread at Real Madrid. It’s a symbol — of magic, of responsibility, of legacy.
Mbappe now carries that weight on his shoulders. And in a city that worships its footballers like gods, the expectations are stratospheric.
Still, if anyone can live up to the pressure, it’s him. Fast, fearless, already a Ballon d’Or winner, Mbappe now has a second season to settle, to shine — and to lead.
History says Madrid always finds a way back. This time, maybe the number 10 is the way forward.