Lamine Yamal Receives Barcelona’s Iconic No. 10 Shirt, Vows to Forge His Own Legacy

Rising Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been handed the club’s revered number 10 shirt, once worn by legendary forward Lionel Messi.

Speaking during a special event at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, the 18-year-old winger acknowledged the weight of the moment while expressing his determination to build his own path at the club.

“Messi made his own history, and I will make mine,” Yamal said. “I’ll give everything I have to make Barcelona fans proud, whether they’re in the stadium or watching from home.”

A product of the famed La Masia academy, Yamal is often likened to Messi for his creativity and attacking flair. He played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s domestic treble last season and in May signed a contract extension keeping him at the club until 2031, reportedly making him one of the highest earners in the squad.

“I want to enjoy this season more than the last and keep chasing my dreams,” said the Spanish international, who added that winning the Champions League with Barcelona and lifting the World Cup with Spain remain top of his ambitions.

Yamal has already amassed over 100 appearances for the club and scored 25 goals since making his senior debut in 2023 at the age of 15, then wearing the number 41. He wore the number 27 last season, and later took on the number 19, a shirt Messi wore between 2005 and 2008.

“Barça is my life. I’ve been here since I was seven,” he reflected. “Every kid at La Masia dreams of making the first team, and now that I’m here, I know I have to keep pushing.”

Barcelona’s number 10 shirt has a rich history, previously worn by football icons including Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and most notably Messi, the club’s all-time top scorer. Ansu Fati inherited the number after Messi’s departure in 2021 but struggled with injuries and was loaned to AS Monaco earlier this month.

“These are legends of football and of this club,” Yamal said of Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldinho. “I’m grateful for everything they contributed to Barcelona. I’ll do my best to honour that legacy.”

Yamal recently found himself at the centre of controversy after his 18th birthday celebration featured entertainers with dwarfism. Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights has requested an investigation following a complaint from a group advocating for individuals with skeletal dysplasia.

Responding to the scrutiny, Yamal said: “At the end of the day, I play and work for Barça. But outside the club, I have my private life, and I live it how I choose.”