Lamine Yamal to continue Lionel Messi's legacy at Barcelona
AFNEWS reporter
May 20, 2025
Lamine Yamal to continue Lionel Messi's legacy at Barcelona
Lamine Yamal will reportedly become the new Barcelona Number 10.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently confirmed that Lamine Yamal's new contract is already agreed in principle and will be formally signed on the youngster's 18th birthday.
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According to a report, the new contract will come with the No. 10 jersey, made famous by the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho and currently occupied by Ansu Fati.
Yamal to get No 10
The claim was made by Memorabilia1899, an insider on Barcelona's kit affairs, who reported that when Yamal puts pen to paper on June 13th, 2025, his 18th birthday, he will also be handed a new squad number.
The number 10 is significant in Barcelona, and not just for its legacy purposes, but also for branding and marketing. After Messi left the club, Ansu Fati inherited the mantle, as he was a fast-rising star that came through the ranks at La Masia.
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Blaugrana are now prepared to move on. Fati is expected to leave the club this summer, despite Laporta's comments about wanting him to continue. Regardless of the colours the 21-year-old dons next summer, however, he will relinquish the 10 to Yamal, Barca Universal relays.
Yamal-Messi comparison
Left-footedness, dribbling ability, La Masia graduates, young sensations, Barcelona stars-there are many parallels to be drawn between Messi and young Yamal, and the number 10 jersey will join the list.
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The comparisons are unending, but the teenager has played it down, stating clearly that he should not be likened to Messi, who, in his opinion, is the best player of all time.
According to Fabrizio on X, Lamine Yamal said, "I'd never compare me with Messi... Leo is the best player ever."
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— AFNEWS reporter