Real Madrid to Hand Karim Benzema’s Jersey Number to Upcoming Summer Signing: Report

• Real Madrid came into the 2023/24 season without any player occupying the number nine Jersey
• The La Liga club's long-time number nine Karim Benzema departed the club earlier in the summer
• Los Blancos are ready to hand over the vacant jersey number to a new signing next summer per the report

Real Madrid entered the 2023/24 football season with a notable void, as their iconic number nine jersey remained unclaimed by any of the club's players.

This unprecedented occurrence in the La Liga giant's storied 121-year history was largely attributed to the departure of striker Karim Benzema and their failure to secure the services of long-standing transfer target Kylian Mbappe.

In their efforts to bolster their attacking lineup, Real Madrid did secure a loan transfer for Espanyol's centre forward, Joselu Marto.

However, Joselu opted for the number 14 jersey, intensifying speculation that the number nine shirt was being held in anticipation of Mbappe's arrival. Nevertheless, recent reports from Diario AS via Madrid Universal suggest a different turn of events, indicating that the La Liga giants are poised to bestow the coveted number nine jersey upon their new signing, the Brazilian prodigy Endrick Felipe.

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Football

Endrick to get number nine shirt

The teenage striker who was signed by Los Blancos in December 2022 for a reported initial fee of €35 million and a further €25 million in variables per reports from Transfermarkt, remains one of football's brightest prospects set to herald the next generation of football stars.

Endrick continues to play for current club Palmeiras and has found the back of the net 11 times in 49 appearances for his club, despite seeing his role limited to the bench on several occasions.

The 17-year-old forward, who is on the brink of joining Real Madrid's first team, will inherit the prestigious number nine jersey.

This decision may cast uncertainty on the club's pursuit of PSG's Kylian Mbappe, and it might also signal the end of Brazilian forward Rodrygo de Goes' stint as an auxiliary centre forward for the La Liga powerhouse.

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Football

Endrick escapes brutal tackle unhurt

Sports Brief in a previous report stated Endrick was on the receiving end of Corinthians midfielder Maycon's brutal sweep as he charged down the field in a late counter-attacking play in the 93rd minute.

Maycon, who initially received a yellow card for the brutal tackle, was subsequently sent off after the Video Assistant Referee intervened.