Yamal not weighed down by legacy of Barcelona's number 10 shirt
Just days after celebrating his 18th birthday, Lamine Yamal inherited the iconic number 10 shirt at Barcelona ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
Lamine Yamal has been handed the iconic number 10 shirt at Barcelona, and he aims to make it his own.
Yamal, who turned 18 last Sunday, inherits the number ahead of the 2025-26 season, following in the footsteps of Barcelona great Lionel Messi.
The number 10 shirt carries enormous weight at the Camp Nou, having been worn by Messi during his trophy-laden tenure at the club that shaped his career.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner made 778 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, scoring a club-record 672 goals while also providing 303 assists.
Messi won 34 major honours with Barcelona, including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns during his 17-year stint with the club.
Following the Argentine's exit to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, the number was passed down to Ansu Fati, who has joined Monaco on loan for the upcoming campaign.
The number 10 shirt at Barcelona was also worn by greats such as Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, but Yamal said he would not be weighed down by its legacy.
"Messi paved the way with the number 10, I will make mine," Yamal told reporters.
"They are three soccer and club legends. Every kid dreams of having something from Messi, Ronaldinho and Maradona... I'll try to carry on that legacy.
"First, my dream was to debut for Barca and wear the number 10. Everyone who grows up here dreams of that. I'm grateful to the club."
