The number 10 jersey in football is more than just fabric and numbers. It tells a story. It often belongs to the playmakers, the heart of the team. For young talents, it’s a dream, a symbol of recognition. Rodrigo Mora, a rising star, knows this feeling well.
He wore that special number in the club’s youth academy. But when he joined the professional ranks, the number 10 was taken. So, Mora chose 86, a different kind of identity. He wore it as he worked his way up.
Then, the number 10 jersey became available. Fábio Vieira, who had worn it, left the club to rejoin Arsenal. This was a big moment for Mora. At just 18 years old, he’s considered the club’s most valuable player. He believed this symbolic number should be his. It felt like his turn.
But what happened next was a shock. The club’s management (SAD) handed the number 10 to a new player, Gabri Veiga. Veiga had just arrived. He had been wearing number 17, and now he was given the coveted 10. This was surprising because Veiga wore number 24 at his previous clubs, Celta and Al Ahli. The number 24 at this club used to belong to Neuhén Pérez and was recently reassigned to Prpic.
It’s also worth noting that at Celta, the number 10 belongs to Iago Aspas. He is a true legend at that club. So, Veiga getting the 10 was never a sure thing based on his past. André Villas-Boas, the club’s coach, pushed hard to sign Veiga. He brought him over from Saudi Arabia before the Club World Cup. The transfer cost €15 million, plus another €4 million in bonus payments.
The club even put Veiga front and center with the number 10. They showed him wearing it on promotional posters. These posters were for the team’s presentation game against Atlético Madrid. It seems Veiga is firmly set as the new number 10. Mora, even though he’s upset, will have to accept it. He’ll keep his number 86 if he stays with the team.
Despite this setback, Rodrigo Mora is still very much the team’s “darling.” Big clubs are watching him closely. Paris Saint-Germain, with Luís Campos at the helm, is reportedly very interested. But the club has made it clear: Mora isn’t leaving cheaply. His release clause is set at €70 million. The club won’t consider any offer below that amount.