Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal has been entrusted with the club’s prestigious number 10 shirt, previously worn by legends including Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldinho.
The 18-year-old winger, who joined Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age seven, called it a “dream come true” during a presentation at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
“Messi made his path, and I will make mine,” said Yamal, who helped secure a domestic treble last season. “I’ll work hard to make the fans proud.” The Spaniard, who debuted at 15 and has scored 25 goals in over 100 appearances, signed a contract until 2031 in May, becoming one of the squad’s highest earners.
Yamal acknowledged the weight of the jersey but vowed to carve his own legacy, targeting Champions League and World Cup glory. His ascent follows Ansu Fati’s injury-plagued tenure as No. 10, which ended with a July loan move to Monaco.
The announcement comes days after controversy over Yamal’s 18th birthday celebration, which featured entertainers with dwarfism and sparked a discrimination probe. “I enjoy my life off the pitch,” he responded when questioned about the incident.
Barcelona fans now watch to see if their latest academy graduate can honor a number synonymous with greatness.
