Mbappe inherits Real Madrid's number 10 jersey after Modric exit
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Quarter Final - Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 5, 2025 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo
Kylian Mbappe will follow Real Madrid greats Ferenc Puskas, Clarence Seedorf and Luis Figo by wearing the iconic number 10 jersey after Luka Modric's departure to AC Milan, the LaLiga club said late on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old French forward wore the number nine shirt in his debut season after arriving from Paris St Germain on a free transfer.
He scored 44 goals in all competitions in the 2024-25 season, though failed to lift a major trophy.
Among the other elite players to wear the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid is Gheorghe Hagi, Michael Laudrop, Robinho and Mesut Ozil. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Brazil's tactical balance tested as Colombia rematch looms in Copa America final
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Brazil have cruised into the Women's Copa America final with dominant scorelines and solid performances, but their biggest challenge awaits in Saturday's rematch against Colombia, a side determined to dethrone the defending champions. Arthur Elias's team has not leaned on star power to reach the final. Instead, Brazil's run has been defined by tactical balance: a disciplined backline, coordinated pressing, sharp execution on set pieces, and exploiting their opponent's defensive miscues. Their success is largely down to a core of new figures, such as Amanda Gutierres, who is the leading scorer for the team in the tournament with five goals and plays a central role in attack. Her brace in their semi-final win over Uruguay underscored her sharp positioning and composure in front of goal. "Hard work pays off," the Palmeiras striker said after the 5-1 victory. "Nothing is forced, everything happens at the right moment." Meanwhile, the experience of Marta continues to anchor the group. The veteran playmaker, who returned from international retirement for this tournament, was named MVP in the semi-final after a standout performance, assisting the opening goal and converting a penalty. Captain Marta's energy in Quito's altitude, along with her leadership and vision, has brought balance to a side still finding their rhythm. "We knew what to do when we had the ball, especially finding the passes between the lines," Marta said, also praising Brazil's defensive response after a shaky start to the second half. "(Goalkeeper) Claudia and the girls at the back sorted things out." While defensively solid with just two goals conceded in five matches, Brazil's intensity lapses have created openings that Colombia, led by Linda Caicedo and Mayra Ramirez, could punish. Their group-stage goalless draw saw Colombia dominate for 70 minutes after goalkeeper Lorena's red card, highlighting the fine margins the eight-time champions must control in the final. Brazil may not dazzle for 90 minutes, but their formula built on discipline, rotation and rising confidence has proved effective. Colombia represent their sternest test yet, but with a blend of energy and experience the reigning champions are positioned to complete their mission again. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Chess-Carlsen claims first Esports World Cup title
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen reacts ahead of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Paris, France, April 7, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural Esports World Cup chess tournament on Friday, defeating Alireza Firouzja in Riyadh. World number one Carlsen claimed the $250,000 top prize and saw his Team Liquid sneak ahead in the overall championship after his win over Firouzja. The prize pool of the tournament was $1.5 million. "It's been an amazing show, unlike anything I've ever seen," Carlsen said just before lifting the trophy on stage, with pyrotechnics lighting up behind him. The inclusion of the centuries-old board game in the esports tournament comes after it experienced a significant revival during the pandemic. REUTERS
New Paper
3 hours ago
- New Paper
January set to shine in Deauville's Prix Rothschild
DEAUVILLE The €300,000 (S$445,000) Group 1 Prix Rothschild (1,600m) at Deauville on Aug 3 signals the start of the month-long festival at the chic Normandy coastal resort. The first of five Group 1s at France's extended version of Royal Ascot is regarded as "the ladies' Prix Jacques Le Marois", for trainers preferring their fillies to avoid taking on the colts over the same straight 1,600m course in the festival's showpiece in a fortnight's time. Ballydoyle's Aidan O'Brien is double-handed with the more fancied January, runner-up in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes (1,600m) and Exactly, sixth in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes (1,600m). "A mile is really her trip. We're getting closer step by step," said the Irish master trainer of January. "It's always a little frustrating to come so close, but she ran very well. She's improving, and we're on the right path." Christophe Head, son of Freddy who trained four-time Prix Rothschild winner Goldikova, supplemented Start Of Day on July 31. "She ran well in England (fifth in Royal Ascot's Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, 1,594m) last time," said Head. "She gets the 1,600m no problem and the aim is to get her ready for the Prix Jean Romanet (Group 1, 2,000m), which is her main summer objective." There are high hopes for another French contender, Godspeed, who atoned from a poor run in the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas, 1,600m) to land the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham (1,600m) at Chantilly in June. "Unfortunately, she had a dreadful draw (13/13) in the French Guineas, but she showed her true class in her next race," said Yann Lerner, co-trainer with his father Carlos. Francis-Henri Graffard hopes to continue his fine season with Mandanaba, stablemate of Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) hero Calandagan. Third in the French 1000 Guineas, she drops back in trip after just missing out on a place in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks, 2,100m). Graffard also saddles Pinta and Matilda, who is at her first run since moving to her new French trainer after her explosive 25-1 win against the colts in the Group 2 Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas, 1,600m). HKJC
