𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Real Madrid have set their shirt numbers for the 2025/26 season

In what has now become a summer tradition at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid have officially finalized their squad numbers for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign — and one change, in particular, is already generating significant buzz among fans and pundits alike.

According to respected journalist Alberto Pereiro, young striker Gonzalo García has been handed the prestigious number 9 shirt. This historic number, once worn by iconic forwards such as Ronaldo Nazário, Karim Benzema, and Hugo Sánchez, now belongs to one of the club’s most promising youth products.

Gonzalo García, just 20 years old, has been steadily climbing through the ranks of Real Madrid’s academy and recently impressed in his appearances during preseason. His promotion to the senior squad had been widely anticipated, but few expected him to inherit the number 9 shirt this soon.

Real Madrid’s decision to assign García such an iconic number is a bold statement. It signals the club’s belief that he is ready to take on a more prominent role in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans this season, potentially stepping up as a rotational or even regular starter depending on injuries, form, and tactical setup.

The number 9 shirt carries not only legacy but pressure. After Benzema’s departure in 2023, Madrid briefly handed the number to Joselu during his one-year stint at the club. However, since then, the number had remained unassigned—almost as if the club was waiting for the right moment and the right player to carry the legacy forward.

García’s promotion comes at a crucial time. With the club focusing on a generational shift and increasingly relying on young talent like Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Endrick, the decision to give such responsibility to another academy graduate reflects the club’s long-term project.

All other shirt numbers for the new season have also been officially confirmed. There are no surprises in terms of veteran players retaining their classic numbers, such as Luka Modrić keeping the number 10 and Vinicius Jr. continuing with the number 7. Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s marquee signing this summer, is expected to wear the number 11.

Meanwhile, other exciting young talents such as Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde retain their current numbers, consolidating their place as key figures in the squad moving forward. Fans can now look forward to seeing a perfectly balanced team of experience and youth donning their official kits for the season.

Behind the scenes, assigning shirt numbers is not a purely symbolic gesture—it’s also about marketing, player identity, and even psychological confidence. Being given a shirt number like 9 is a nod to the trust and expectations the club has placed on García’s shoulders.

While it remains to be seen how much playing time he will earn in a star-studded squad, Gonzalo García’s new role promises to be one of the most closely watched developments of the season. His journey from La Fábrica to potentially leading the line for one of the world’s most successful clubs is a story in itself.

As the new campaign approaches, excitement is building in Madrid. Fans are eager to see how the team will line up, especially with so much young blood now wearing some of the most iconic numbers in football. And for Gonzalo García, the story is just begi