FC Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal has just experienced one of the most significant moments of his budding but promising career: signing a contract extension with the club until 2031 and officially taking on the legendary number 10 jersey, once worn by icons such as Lionel Messi, Diego Armando Maradona, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho.

In an emotional ceremony at the Spotify Camp Nou, the 18-year-old forward expressed his determination to carve out his own path with the Catalan giants. “Messi made his own way, and I’m going to make mine,” he said confidently to the press, moments before printing his name next to the number 10 on a Barça shirt.

A new chapter for the new number 10

The event began at the Barça offices, where Yamal signed his new contract surrounded by close friends and family, including his grandmother Fátima, who traveled from Morocco especially to be there. “My grandmother is very special to me. I owe her so much,” he said emotionally.

Club president Joan Laporta attended the signing and posed for photos with Yamal in front of a model of the new stadium, highlighting the symbolic importance of the occasion. The player then made his way to the club’s official store, which had been closed to the public for the event, where he printed his name on the first-team shirt.

The club went all out to unveil its new number 10: more than 20 mannequins wearing Yamal’s jersey were displayed in the store, a mural was created in his hometown neighborhood of Rocafonda in Mataró, and historic images of past Barça number 10 shirts were shared on social media.

Fully aware of the weight and legacy that come with wearing the club’s most iconic number, Lamine Yamal made it clear he is not trying to imitate, but to build his own legacy: “I want to show who I am and carry this number with pride.”

The attacker, one of La Masia’s brightest prospects, is excited about what lies ahead: “I hope to have a long career at Barça, full of titles. This season, I want to keep growing as a player and as a team—and hopefully win the Champions League.”

A new era begins for Lamine Yamal, with the legendary number 10 on his back and a future full of promise ahead.