FC Barcelona has taken a symbolic and impactful step by confirming that Lamine Yamal will wear the iconic number 10 jersey starting from the 2025-26 season—a shirt once worn by Lionel Messi. The announcement caused a major stir among Barça fans, leading to long lines at the club's official store near the Spotify Camp Nou, where supporters eagerly snatched up shirts bearing the prodigy’s new number.

From early morning, hundreds of fans—including families and international tourists—flocked to the stadium to buy the jersey of the Rocafonda-born player. The club smartly capitalized on the frenzy by creating a retail experience centered around Lamine, placing his image on posters, screens, and themed displays. The craze for the new number 10 not only represents the rise of a footballing figure, but also the birth of a generational icon.

At just 18 years old, Lamine Yamal has delivered a dream season, scoring 25 goals and providing 34 assists. For many, he’s the natural heir to the legacy left by legends like Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Messi himself. “The ‘10’ could only be his,” fans said as they paid between €114 and €184 for a jersey that now means much more than just football.

His father's controversial past: a silent burden

But while Lamine Yamal becomes a symbol of Barcelona’s present and future, the figure of his father, Mounir Nasraoui, has once again sparked controversy. A viral video from 2022 shows him wearing a Real Madrid shirt and waving their flag during a Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu, at a time when his connection to the Barça star was not yet public. The footage has resurfaced, casting doubt on his loyalty to Barça.

Nasraoui has also been involved in several media incidents that have made those close to the club uncomfortable: from comparing his son to Maradona, to his infamous quote in an interview: “Even if I supported Madrid before, I don’t care! Barça is the one that feeds me.”

His social media now only shows unconditional support for Lamine, celebrating his goals and proudly wearing the blaugrana shirt. Still, his past ties to Madrid, though distant, continue to emerge, adding noise around a young player who simply wants to shine on the pitch.

In a moment when Barcelona is searching for new icons, Lamine Yamal shines as a beacon of hope. But with such a media-heavy environment around him, it’s not only his performances that will make headlines. The challenge is clear: to define an era... while the shadows of his family's past try to follow his every step.