Top 5 Greatest Real Madrid Players to Ever Wear the Iconic No. 10 Jersey

Few numbers in football carry as much history as Real Madrid’s No. 10 — a shirt worn by true greats.

After Luka Modrić left the club at the end of the 2024–25 season, the iconic number became available — and Kylian Mbappé was the one to take it on. Now, he wears one of the most recognisable and prestigious numbers in football.

Over the years, both legendary attackers and even a few defenders have worn the No. 10 at Madrid, making it one of the most coveted shirts at the club. But with the shirt comes serious pressure — not just from the legacy of the number itself, but also from the enormous expectations that come with playing for Real Madrid.

While some players have struggled to live up to the weight of the No. 10, others have helped shape its legacy — inspiring generations of fans and adding to the club’s rich history.

Greatest Players to wear number 10 jersey at Real Madrid

5. Clarence Seedorf

Before joining Real Madrid, Clarence Seedorf was already a proven champion—and he continued that winning tradition with the Spanish giants. In his first season with Los Blancos, the Dutch midfielder helped the team secure the LaLiga title. The following year, he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy, and in his third and final season at the club, he added the Intercontinental Cup to his collection.

While Seedorf was best known for his intelligence and control in midfield, he also had a knack for getting forward and contributing to the attack. Over his three seasons at Real Madrid, he scored an impressive 55 goals across all competitions.

4. Luis Figo

Playing for both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona — two of the fiercest rivals in football — and still being held in high regard takes a special kind of talent. Luís Figo is a prime example. The Galáctico era at Real Madrid truly began in 2000 when Figo made his controversial move from Barcelona to Madrid, becoming the club’s record signing at the time.

Over the course of his career with Los Blancos, Figo helped the team win seven major trophies, including two LaLiga titles and the 2002 UEFA Champions League. He also earned a place among the elite — only eight Real Madrid players have ever won the Ballon d’Or, and Figo is one of them.

3. Ferenc Puskas

Ferenc Puskás is widely regarded as one of the greatest goal scorers in football history—and a true legend at Real Madrid.

With 242 goals in just 262 games, he ranks as the sixth-highest scorer in the club’s history. What makes this even more impressive is that everyone above him on the list played far more matches than he did.

Puskás was known for delivering when it mattered most. His incredible finishing helped Real Madrid win three European Cups, proving that when the pressure was on, he always rose to the occasion.

2. Luka Modric

Luka Modrić is without a doubt one of the best players ever to wear the number 10 shirt for Real Madrid. Dressed in the iconic white jersey, the Croatian maestro has achieved everything there is to achieve in football.

But Modrić’s greatness goes far beyond the trophies. At 39, he has firmly established himself as one of the greatest central midfielders in Real Madrid’s history. With his flawless passing, effortless control, and pinpoint set-piece delivery, he’s dictated the tempo of games against the world’s toughest opponents—making the extraordinary look easy.

1. Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe is the latest star to don the iconic No.10 shirt for Real Madrid, taking over the number at the start of the 2025-26 season following Luka Modrić’s departure. The French forward made an instant impact after joining the club the previous year, enjoying a sensational 2024-25 campaign where he scored 44 goals in all competitions and claimed the European Golden Boot. 

Now wearing a number steeped in history, Mbappé hopes to live up to the legacy and lead Los Blancos to more silverware in the seasons to come.

Cover Credits - BBC