Barcelona's Lamine Yamal Inherits Iconic Number 10 Shirt Once Worn by Messi
Enet
Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has officially taken over the club’s iconic number 10 jersey, once famously worn by Lionel Messi.
The club announced the news on social media with the caption, "Our 10," alongside a tribute video showcasing Yamal.
In his reaction, Yamal expressed deep pride and gratitude:
"It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid, and I’m very happy. My family and I are very proud. Barça is my life — it’s my home. I’ve been here since I was seven."
He added, “I’m really looking forward to playing in front of the fans at the Camp Nou this year. We’ll give them a lot of joy.”
At just 18, Yamal has drawn comparisons to Messi, having risen through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. He played a key role in the team’s domestic treble-winning campaign last season and has already scored 25 goals in over 100 appearances. He made his debut in 2023 at just 15 years old wearing the number 41 shirt, later switching to 27 and then to 19 — the same number Messi wore early in his career.
The number 10 shirt was last worn by Ansu Fati, who inherited it in 2021 following Messi's departure to PSG. However, persistent injuries hindered Fati's progress, and he recently moved on loan to AS Monaco.
Barcelona’s number 10 jersey has a rich legacy, having also been worn by legends like Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo. Yamal now steps into that tradition, aiming to carve out his own chapter in the club’s storied history.
