Lamine Yamal takes on Messi's legacy, inherits Barcelona's iconic No 10 jersey | WATCH
Barcelona: Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal has officially been handed the club's iconic No. 10 jersey, a number famously worn by Lionel Messi, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The 18-year-old, who celebrated his birthday recently, takes over the symbolic shirt from Ansu Fati, who has moved to AS Monaco on a season-long loan.
The announcement was made during a private event with Yamal and his family, coinciding with his newly signed contract extending his stay at Camp Nou until 2031. Yamal now joins a storied lineage of Barcelona greats to don the No. 10, following in the footsteps of legends such as Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romário, and Diego Maradona. Speculation about the switch had been fueled by Yamal's recent social media posts featuring images of these iconic No. 10 wearers.
Lionel Messi notably wore the No. 10 from 2008 to 2021, cementing his status as the club's greatest player. After his departure, Ansu Fati inherited the number but struggled with injuries and consistency, paving the way for Yamal's ascension.
Since his Barcelona debut in the 2022-23 season wearing No. 41, Yamal has rapidly become a mainstay for both his club and the Spanish national team. He subsequently wore No. 27 and No. 19—the same numbers Messi wore before taking the No. 10. To date, Yamal has accumulated 106 appearances and 25 goals for Barcelona, contributing to two LaLiga titles, a Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa. He also played a pivotal role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 triumph earlier this summer, showcasing his remarkable poise and flair on the international stage.
Yamal's elevation to the prestigious No. 10 comes just days after reports emerged of an investigation launched by the Spanish government. The probe is reportedly looking into alleged breaches of disability laws related to his recent birthday celebrations, centering on claims that individuals with dwarfism were hired as entertainers at his party.
With inputs from IANS