A number with history

With Ansu Fati set to go out on loan to Monaco, Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 shirt—once worn by legends like Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Maradona—is about to change hands again. The one chosen to inherit it? None other than Lamine Yamal, the gem of La Masía, who at just 17 years old is already shaping up to be the new face of the club.

But this isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It marks the start of a new era. The club has chosen to hand the keys of the project to a teenager who already puts up star-level numbers.

From rising talent to franchise player

Last season, Yamal played a decisive role in Barcelona’s LaLiga title, scoring 9 goals and delivering 15 assists. He claimed the Golden Boy award, dazzled at Euro 2024, and was named the tournament’s breakout player. The club has already secured his future with a contract until 2031, complete with top-level terms.

But it’s not just about what he brings on the pitch. Inside Laporta’s offices, Yamal is seen as the franchise player of the next decade. Just as the club once built around Lionel Messi, the blueprint now centers around Lamine.

A golden-stage presentation

On July 13, his 18th birthday, Barça is planning a special ceremony to unveil both his new shirt number and his contract renewal. The event will be a public statement: Yamal isn’t just another academy product—he’s the new standard-bearer of the Camp Nou.

Burden or privilege?

Wearing the No. 10 is no small feat. Beyond talent, it comes with a heavy legacy. But Yamal, calm and mature beyond his years, seems ready to embrace the responsibility. The post-Messi era has its heir… and Barça’s future now has a name.