Lamine Yamal Inherits Barcelona’s Iconic No. 10 Shirt

Rising Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has officially taken over the club’s legendary number 10 shirt, a number previously worn by football icons including Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona.

The announcement was made on Wednesday via Barcelona’s social media, with the club posting, “Our 10”, alongside a tribute video featuring Yamal.

Speaking at an event held at the club shop at Spotify Camp Nou, the 18-year-old winger expressed both pride and humility in receiving the iconic jersey: “Messi made his path, and I will make mine. I will work as hard as I can, give everything, and try to make the Barca fans—both in the stadium and at home—happy.”

Yamal, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has often been compared to Messi, who also rose through the same youth system. He debuted for the senior team in 2023 at just 15 years old, wearing the number 41 shirt. After a season in the number 27, he switched to 19—another number Messi once wore—before now taking up the number 10.

In May, Yamal signed a long-term contract with the club, keeping him at Barcelona until 2031. The deal made him one of the highest-paid players in the squad.

“I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true,” said Yamal, who also revealed his ambition to win both the Champions League with Barcelona and the World Cup with Spain.

The young talent has already made over 100 appearances for the club and scored 25 goals, playing a key role in Barcelona’s domestic treble-winning campaign last season.

“Barca is my life. I’ve been here since I was seven,” he said. “For every kid at La Masia, the dream is to make it to the first team. I’m living that dream, and I know I have to keep working.”

Yamal also paid tribute to the club legends who previously wore the number 10 shirt.

“Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldinho—they are three legends of football and three legends of this club. I’m grateful for everything they gave to Barcelona, and I’ll try to continue their legacy,” he added.

Yamal inherits the number after Ansu Fati, who took over the shirt in 2021 following Messi’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain. Fati, plagued by injuries, recently joined AS Monaco on loan.