Lamine Yamal Set to Inherit Messi’s Iconic No. 10 Shirt at Barcelona

Lamine Yamal is on the brink of making history yet again. The 17-year-old sensation, hailed as the greatest footballing talent since Lionel Messi, is reportedly set to inherit the iconic No. 10 shirt at FC Barcelona after agreeing to a groundbreaking new deal this summer.

Yamal, already seen by many as Messi’s natural successor, will celebrate his 18th birthday in July by signing a long-term contract that not only cements his future at the club but also includes a jaw-dropping €1 billion (£841 million) release clause—making it one of the most valuable deals in football history.

A Historic Rise: From La Masia to the Spotlight

Lamine Yamal has been making headlines since he debuted for Barcelona at just 15 years old. Now, just two years later, he’s poised to step into Messi’s legendary No. 10 shirt—currently worn by Ansu Fati—as the Catalan club prepares for a new era.

Yamal, who still wears braces and maintains a humble demeanor, has already racked up 105 appearances for Barcelona. In that time, he’s contributed an impressive 25 goals and 34 assists, helping lead the team to two LaLiga titles and a domestic treble this season. His contributions include 43 goal involvements in just 54 games this season alone, a statistic that dwarfs those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age.

When Yamal became the youngest player to ever start in a UEFA European Championship final with Spain, it was clear that this wasn’t just another La Masia graduate. The young winger was already drawing comparisons to legends, and many believed he had the potential to achieve greatness.

By age 17, Messi had scored just one goal in nine senior appearances for Barcelona, while Ronaldo had five goals in 19 games with Sporting Lisbon. In contrast, Lamine Yamal has already scored four goals in 19 appearances for Spain and is quickly becoming a key player for both club and country.

Yamal didn’t just follow in Messi’s footsteps—he’s accelerating past the benchmarks the Argentine set at the same age. While Messi had made 100 appearances for Barcelona by the age of 20, scoring 41 goals, Yamal hit the 100-game mark before turning 18, already surpassing that goal involvement tally.

The No. 10 shirt at Barcelona carries a heavy legacy. It was worn by legends like Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and of course, Lionel Messi, who wore it from 2008 until his departure in 2021. Messi ended his Barcelona career with a staggering 672 goals in 778 games, along with 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League trophies.

After Messi’s departure, the No. 10 shirt passed to Ansu Fati, who was once seen as Messi’s heir. However, injuries and inconsistent form have hampered Fati’s progress, and he now faces a likely exit from the club this summer. This paves the way for Yamal to take over one of the most iconic numbers in world football.

Interestingly, Yamal currently wears the No. 19 jersey—the same number Messi wore before switching to No. 10. The symbolic transition adds another layer to what is already a monumental moment in Yamal’s blossoming career.

Despite the growing comparisons to Messi, Lamine Yamal has remained grounded. Speaking ahead of his 100th Barcelona appearance—where he scored a stunning goal in a 3-3 Champions League draw—he said:

“It’s a mature outlook for someone so young, especially given the enormous expectations surrounding him.

In a heartwarming twist, an image from 2007 shows baby Lamine Yamal being held by a 20-year-old Lionel Messi during a UNICEF photoshoot for Barcelona. That baby would later join the club’s youth system and, by age 12, was already being compared to Messi by Spanish outlet Marca.

Now, 11 years after joining Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Yamal is on the verge of donning the No. 10 shirt—a number worn by his childhood idol and now passed on to a player who could define the next generation.

The Future Is Lamine Yamal

As Barcelona looks to rebuild its legacy and usher in a new golden era, Lamine Yamal stands at the forefront. With a generational talent, a €1 billion release clause, and the club’s most storied shirt number soon to be his, Yamal’s journey is just beginning.

Inheriting Messi’s No. 10 isn’t just about wearing a number—it’s about carrying the weight of expectations, inspiring a fanbase, and writing a new chapter in Barcelona’s storied history. And Lamine Yamal looks more than ready.

Source – The Sun