Real Madrid faces an unexpected crisis in full preseason, with Kylian Mbappé, the French star newly arrived at the club, at the center of the controversy. According to sources close to the locker room, Mbappé has launched an unprecedented ultimatum to the directive headed by Florentino Pérez: if the young Turkish talent Arda Güler receives the iconic shirt number 10, which until recently belonged to Luka Modrić, the striker will rescue his contract and seek a new destination. This statement has shaken the foundations of Santiago Bernabéu, generating speculation about the future of the galactic project and coexistence in a costume full of egos and ambitions.

Mbappé, who signed with Real Madrid in the summer of 2024 after years of negotiations, has been the star signing of the club, with expectations of leading the team towards a new era of successes. However, its adaptation has not been as fluid as expected. Despite its undeniable quality, French has faced criticism for its irregular performance in the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid failed to revalidate its domain. The pressure on Mbappé has grown, and its relationship with some colleagues, especially with young talents such as Güler, seems to be at a critical point. The possibility that the Turk, only 20 years old, inherited the number 10 shirt, a symbol of hierarchy and prestige, has unleashed the fury of the Frenchman, who considers that this distinction should fall on him or, at least, in a player with the greatest experience.

T -shirt number 10, which Modrić took with a mastery for more than a decade, was vacant after Croatian’s decision to assume a more secondary role this season, with rumors of a possible withdrawal or transfer at the end of the campaign. Arda Güler, who has impressed with his talent and vision of the game, was emerging as the ideal candidate to inherit that number, a gesture that the directive saw as a commitment to the future. However, Mbappé interprets this decision as a lack of respect for his status as a project leader. According to Fuentes, the Frenchman would have communicated his discomfort directly to Florentino Pérez, arguing that the assignment of the dorsal to Güler would send a wrong message about the hierarchies in the team.

Mbappé’s ultimatum is not just a matter of numbers. Behind his position is a power struggle inside the locker room. The Frenchman, aware of his role as the great star of the club, seeks to consolidate his leadership in a team full of talents such as Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham and Güler himself. The coexistence between these figures has not been simple, and the arrival of Xabi Alonso as coach has added more pressure, since the Basque coach demands absolute commitment and does not tolerate internal conflicts. Alonso, who has supported Güler’s rise for his discipline and potential, is in a delicate position, since alienating Mbappé could have devastating consequences for the project.

The directive, meanwhile, faces a monumental dilemma. Mbappé, with a five -year contract and an astronomical termination clause, is the pillar of the Real Madrid sports and commercial project. Losing it would be a devastating blow, not only because of its quality in the field, but also because of the impact on the image of the club. However, giving in to his ultimatum could weaken Alonso’s authority and send a message of favoritism that destabilizes the rest of the team. Florentino Pérez, known for his ability to handle crisis, is exploring all options, including the possibility of assigning number 10 to another consensus player or leaving it temporarily vacant.

Meanwhile, the signing market is still open, and rumors about possible destinations for Mbappé have already begun to circulate. Clubs such as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and even Bayern Munich would be attentive to any movement. However, Mbappé’s departure seems unlikely in the short term, given the financial commitment of Real Madrid and the determination of the player to succeed in the club. For his part, Güler, oblivious to the controversy, continues to focus on earning a position in the initial eleven, showing a maturity that contrasts with his youth.

The Madrid fans, divided between the support of Mbappé and the enthusiasm for Güler’s emerging talent, expects a resolution that does not compromise the future of the team. What is clear is that this crisis tests the capacity of Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso to manage a costume full of stars and egos. The outcome of this controversy will define the course of Real Madrid in a season that is already emerging as one of the most turbulent in recent years.