MR9 is a thing? Wasn't even the well known CR7 actually CR9 at one point? This story is just utter bull from top to bottom. Obviously we would have told him.
Ronaldo got the 9 at Madrid as all time top scorer Raul had 7 at the time .
But even Madrid knew the importance of the Jersey for marketing purposes and tried to spin the 9 as a great thing for Ronaldo by reminding everyone that it was Di Stefano's number and then having the man himself be the one to present Ronaldo.
Even then,the moment Raul was sold,Ronaldo changed to 7.
A lot of people simply don't get it. Numbers do matter especially for image rights and marketing purposes . That is a big part of players contracts negotiations. For example ,a significant part of Rooney's mammoth wage relates to image rights. Some people seem stuck in the stone ages and refuse to see that football as an industry has changed. It doesn't mean that Martial will suddenly pack his bags and leave but he and his entourage won't be best pleased . You keep your best players happy,not antagonize them .