Barcelona are set to hand rising star Lamine Yamal the iconic No. 10 jersey, once worn by club legend Lionel Messi, as part of a landmark new contract that will tie the 17-year-old to the club for the long term.
According to Mail Sport, the Spanish champions are preparing to announce the deal in July, coinciding with Yamal’s 18th birthday, in what is being hailed as a symbolic moment in the club’s post-Messi era.
The new contract will include a €1 billion release clause, underlining how highly the club values the teenager, who is widely regarded as the most gifted talent to emerge from La Masia since Messi himself.
From No. 19 to No. 10: A passing of the torch
Yamal has worn the No. 19 shirt this season, but with Ansu Fati’s future at the club uncertain, Barcelona are set to reclaim the No. 10 and pass it on to Yamal—a statement of trust and expectation. Fati, who inherited the number after Messi’s departure in 2021, has struggled with form and injuries and is reportedly not in the club’s long-term plans.
A Ballon d’Or contender in the making
Yamal’s breakthrough season has drawn comparisons to football’s elite. Still only 17, he’s become one of Europe’s most electrifying attacking talents, playing a pivotal role in Barcelona’s La Liga campaign and starring for Spain in their Euro 2024 victory—a triumph that has seen him earn Ballon d’Or buzz well before turning 18.
Barça insiders believe Yamal could become the face of the club for the next decade, and giving him the No. 10 jersey is a calculated move to both honour his talent and signal the beginning of a new era.
What this means for Barcelona
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Symbolic leadership: The No. 10 is not just a number—at Barça, it represents leadership, genius, and legacy.
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Commercial goldmine: Yamal’s rising global profile, paired with the No. 10 shirt, is expected to boost merchandise sales and branding efforts.
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Pressure and expectation: The jersey carries immense weight, and fans will be watching closely to see how Yamal shoulders the responsibility.
As Barcelona rebuilds in the post-Messi era, Lamine Yamal’s elevation to the No. 10 shirt could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one that promises magic, pressure, and the hope of another generational talent leading the club forward.
