Real Madrid’s management has settled the controversy surrounding the identity of the player who will wear the Number 9 shirt next season, following Kylian Mbappé’s move to the Number 10 shirt, succeeding the legendary Luka Modric.
It was reported that there are three candidates to wear the Number 9 shirt, which has been worn by several Real Madrid legends: Brazilian Endrick, promising star Gonzalo Garcia, and new signing Franco Mastrantuono.
According to AS, Real Madrid’s management has decided to give the number to Gonzalo Garcia, after also deciding to keep him next season and not loan him out to any interested clubs inside or outside of Spain.
“The new Raúl,” as he is nicknamed, has become an integral part of coach Xabi Alonso’s plans for the new season, and there is a belief that he will have a positive impact, especially since he has accepted the role of substitute striker and has demonstrated his ability to perform as well as Joselu, if not better.
Although there is also strong belief in Endrick’s abilities, it appears that Real Madrid’s management did not want to increase the pressure on him by assigning him this number. Furthermore, Alonso himself does not intend to rely on the Brazilian as a striker, so all indications point to Garcia.
It is worth noting that Garcia, 21, won the top scorer award at the 2025 Club World Cup, having scored four goals.
