Why Real Madrid can't sell any Kylian Mbappe jersey before June 30?

According to various sources, France star striker Kylian Mbappe is likely to wear the legendary number 9 jersey for Real Madrid during his first year after completing his "dream" transfer on June 3. However, Real Madrid won’t be able to sell the jerseys before the 30th of this month since he is technically under contract till that date with the French club, Paris Saint-Germain. 

Mbappe, 25, will be the first to wear the shirt number since former Real Madrid attacker Karim Benzema, who moved for Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad in 2023.  After going a whole season without an appropriate substitute for Benzema's place in the squad and guiding the team to La Liga 2023-2024 as well as UEFA Champions League triumph during the same season, manager Carlo Ancelotti has gotten the most valuable asset for the coming campaign at Real Madrid.

After a six-year-long epic transfer saga, Mbappe signed a free move to Real Madrid, potentially marking the next step in his already record-breaking football career. In terms of uniform number, one would expect Mbappe to wear the number 10 shirt, which he now wears for the France national team, or the renowned number 7 jersey, which was formerly worn by his hero Cristiano Ronaldo at his previous club and is now worn by the in-form Vinicius Jr.

While Vinicius is unlikely to give up his jersey number for Mbappe, especially after his fantastic 2023-2024 season, the present possessor of the number 10 jersey, Luka Modric, is a club legend.

Kylian Mbappe looks to honour Luka Modric!

Renowned Italian sports reporter Fabrizio Romano has also said that Mbappe has not inquired about the future availability of the number 10, as he prefers to pay tribute to Luka Modric's outstanding legacy at the club thus far. After several unexpected twists in the FIFA World Cup 2018 winner's transfer controversy to Los Blancos, the two parties appear to have reached an agreement. 

While Modric is expected to extend his presently expiring deal at the Santiago Bernabeu for another season, he has also hinted at his retirement from Real Madrid, similarly to his midfield colleague Toni Kroos.