Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has officially been handed the club’s iconic No.10 jersey, stepping into the spotlight once occupied by some of the most legendary names in football history. The 18-year-old winger, who recently signed a lucrative new deal with the Catalan giants, now bears the weight of a number synonymous with greatness.
Though aware of the expectations, Yamal remains unfazed. “I’m under no pressure; I’ll keep enjoying the game with a new number. I’m thankful for the club’s trust and will strive to continue the legacy,” he said.
Yamal follows a line of football icons who once wore the shirt. From Ballon d’Or winners to club legends, here’s a ranking of Barcelona’s all-time greatest No.10s:
10. Evaristo de Macedo
The Brazilian forward was the first to wear the No.10 for Barcelona back in 1957. Scoring 105 goals in 151 appearances, Evaristo helped Barca to two La Liga titles before a controversial move to Real Madrid.
9. Gheorghe Hagi
Romania’s all-time great spent two seasons with Barcelona in the mid-90s, impressing with flashes of brilliance despite injuries. Remarkably, he’s admired by fans of both Barca and Real Madrid.
8. Luis Suárez Miramontes
Before the Uruguayan striker of the same name, Spanish legend Luis Suárez wore the No.10 in the late 50s and early 60s. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1960 and later cemented his legacy at Inter Milan.
7. Hristo Stoichkov
The fiery Bulgarian forward formed a lethal duo with Romario and won the Ballon d’Or in 1994 after a prolific title-winning season.
6. Romario
Romario lit up La Liga in 1993-94 with 32 goals, including a hat-trick in El Clasico. Though his stint was short-lived, he remains one of the most gifted strikers to grace Camp Nou.
5. Laszlo Kubala
A Barcelona legend of the 1950s, Kubala scored 193 goals in just over 250 appearances. His impact was so profound that he was later honored with a statue at the stadium.
4. Rivaldo
The Brazilian genius carried the team through a transitional era, with his most iconic moment being a hat-trick, capped with a stunning bicycle kick that secured Champions League qualification in 2001.
3. Diego Maradona
Maradona’s two-year spell in the early ’80s was marred by injuries and controversy, but his brilliance was undeniable. He scored 38 goals and provided 23 assists in just 58 matches before departing in 1984.
2. Ronaldinho
The Brazilian magician revived Barcelona in the early 2000s, dazzling fans with his flair and winning a Ballon d’Or in 2005. He famously received a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu after a stunning El Clasico performance.
1. Lionel Messi
Undisputedly the greatest to wear the No.10 for Barcelona and arguably the greatest ever, Messi wore the shirt from 2008 until his 2021 departure. During that time, he claimed 7 Ballon d’Ors, 8 La Liga titles, and 3 Champions League trophies, netting 624 goals for the club.
As Yamal embarks on his own journey with the legendary number on his back, he faces the challenge of living up to a historic legacy but with talent and confidence on his side, the next chapter of Barcelona’s No.10 story begins.
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