Barcelona are poised to hand the prestigious No. 10 jersey who is once famously worn by Lionel Messi to teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, this symbolizing a new era for the Catalan giants.
Yamal, who turns 18 in July, is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract with the club. According to Mail Sport, the deal will include a jaw-dropping €1 billion release clause, underscoring the immense faith Barcelona has in his potential.
Having worn the No. 19 shirt this season, Yamal will take over the No. 10 from Ansu Fati. Fati’s uncertain future at the club has paved the way for Yamal to inherit the historic number, in a move that signals the club’s belief that he is the most exciting talent since Messi’s emergence nearly two decades ago.
The number switch is expected to be finalized around Yamal’s birthday and marks the culmination of a meteoric rise. The young forward has become one of Europe’s breakout stars this season and is already being mentioned in Ballon d’Or conversations after helping Spain clinch the European Championship last year.
Yamal made his first-team debut for Barcelona at just 15, and in the short time since, he has already won two LaLiga titles and played a crucial role in their Champions League campaign, which ended in a dramatic semi-final defeat to Inter Milan.
The No. 10 shirt is steeped in history at Barcelona. Lionel Messi made it legendary after taking it over in 2008, going on to score a record 672 goals in 778 appearances. During his 13-year spell as No. 10, Messi won seven Ballon d’Or awards, 10 LaLiga titles, and four Champions League trophies. He added another Ballon d’Or in 2023 following Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
While stepping into Messi’s shadow is no small feat, Yamal has already shown signs of being up to the task. After Barcelona’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Inter, football pundits were full of praise, Rio Ferdinand called him “the best player in the world,” while Jamie Carragher drew comparisons to a young Messi.
Now, with the legendary number on his back, Lamine Yamal is set to write his own chapter in Barcelona’s rich footballing history.
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