Lamine Yamal Takes Over Barcelona’s No. 10 Shirt – Is He The Next Messi?

‎Barcelona has officially announced that Lamine Yamal will don the club’s legendary No. 10 shirt, marking another significant milestone in his rapidly rising career.

‎Yamal, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, now wears the number after taking over from his close friend Ansu Fati. Fati held the jersey for three years before departing on loan to Monaco on July 1.

‎The shirt was originally worn by Lionel Messi before Fati’s tenure.

‎”Messi made his path and I will make mine,” Yamal told reporters at an event at the club shop at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.

‎”I will work as hard as I can, give everything, and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home.”

‎The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club’s La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.

‎He signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2031 in May, becoming one of the best-paid players at the club.

‎”I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true,” continued Yamal, who said he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants, and also the World Cup with Spain.

‎Yamal So Far

‎Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in over 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15, wearing the number 41 shirt.

‎”Barca is my life, I’ve been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia, their dream is to make it to the first team, and I’m doing it and I have to keep working,” said Yamal.

‎”When I was little, I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number.”

‎After spending last season wearing the number 27, Yamal followed in Messi’s footsteps last summer by switching to the number 19, the jersey the Argentine wore for Barcelona from 2005 to 2008.

‎Ansu Fati took over the legendary No. 10 shirt at Barcelona in 2021 following Lionel Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain.

‎However, injuries hampered his progress at the club, leading to his loan to Monaco earlier this month. The iconic No. 10 jersey has previously been worn by football legends such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo.

‎These players have left a lasting legacy associated with that iconic number.

‎”(Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho) are three legends of football, three legends of this club,” said Yamal.

‎”I am grateful for what they gave the club, and I will try to continue this legacy.”

‎Yamal made headlines after celebrating his 18th birthday last weekend with a private event involving hired entertainers with dwarfism.

‎Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights asked the public prosecutor to investigate the party after a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE).

‎”In the end, I work for Barca, I play for Barca, but when I’m away from (the club) I enjoy my life, and that’s all,” he added.

‎Barcelona’s Strategic Wait for Yamal’s Historic Shirt Number Announced

‎Barcelona initially planned to announce Yamal’s new shirt number during the launch of their 2025-26 kit sale.

‎However, the jersey was only made available for pre-order at that time, with delivery pending until the mystery surrounding his number for the season was revealed.

‎The club is likely expecting a significant boost in sales, as having their top player linked to their most iconic shirt number, especially after signing a long-term contract, provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate and capitalize on his rising fame.

‎Despite the delays, it has seemed inevitable for some time. Yamal’s breakout performance at last summer’s European Championship with Spain, where he was named the tournament’s best young player, marked the start of a rapid rise.

‎This season, he won La Liga and the Copa del Rey, showed his talent in the Champions League semi-finals against Inter, signed a new lucrative contract, and has even emerged as a contender for the Ballon d’Or.

‎From a purely footballing perspective, Yamal has surpassed Fati’s early achievements with the first team. Since his debut two years ago, he has already made 106 appearances.

‎During his time at Barcelona, he has secured three major titles and has established himself as a key player for Spain.