Yamal not weighed down Barca's number 10 legacy
Just days after celebrating his 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal has inherited the iconic number 10 shirt at Barcelona ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign.
Yamal, who has just turned 18, inherits the number ahead of the 2025-2026 season, following in the footsteps of Barcelona great Lionel Messi.
The number 10 shirt carries enormous weight at the Blaugrana, having been worn by Messi during a trophy-laden tenure at the club that shaped his career.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made 778 appearances for Barcelona across all competitions, scoring a club-record 672 goals while also providing 303 assists.
Messi won 34 major honours with Barcelona, including 10 LaLiga titles and four UEFA Champions League crowns during his 17-year stint with the club.
After the Argentinean's departure for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, the number was passed down to Ansu Fati, who has joined Monaco on loan for the upcoming campaign.
The number 10 shirt at Barcelona was also worn by greats such as Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, but Yamal said he would not be weighed down by its legacy.
"Messi paved the way with the number 10, I will make mine," Yamal said.
"They are three soccer and club legends. Every kid dreams of having something from Messi, Ronaldinho and Maradona.
"I'll try to carry on that legacy.
"First, my dream was to debut for Barca and wear the number 10. Everyone who grows up here dreams of that. I'm grateful to the club."
