Barcelona’s electrical 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has been handed the well-known number 10 shirt beforehand worn by membership icon Lionel Messi, capping a exceptional breakthrough season for {the teenager}.
Yamal earned the jersey after a stellar marketing campaign the place he netted 18 objectives and offered 25 assists as Barcelona swept the home treble of LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup whereas they reached the Champions League semi-finals.
The teenager, who wore the number 19 shirt final season, had already dedicated his long-term future to the membership, signing a contract extension in May that may hold him at Barcelona till 2031.
On Wednesday, he obtained the number 10 shirt from membership president Joan Laporta in a particular ceremony.
The number 10 shirt carries huge weight on the Camp Nou, having been worn by Messi throughout his trophy-laden tenure on the membership that formed his profession.
The Argentine claimed 34 trophies with Barcelona and departed because the membership’s all-time main scorer with 672 objectives, though he left after the 2020-21 season as a result of membership’s monetary troubles.
The number 10 shirt at Barcelona was additionally worn by greats similar to Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho, however Yamal stated he wouldn’t be weighed down by its legacy.
“Messi paved the way with the number 10, I will make mine,” Yamal advised reporters.
(*10*)First, my dream was to debut for Barca and put on the number 10. Everyone who grows up right here goals of that. I’m grateful to the membership.”
Following Messi’s exit, the jersey was passed to young winger Ansu Fati but the now 22-year-old failed to live up to his early promise and he was eventually loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Fati will spend next season on loan at AS Monaco, clearing the way for Yamal to inherit one of football’s most famous shirt numbers.
Having also won the European Championship with Spain last year, Yamal said his next goal was to win the titles that are missing from his trophy cabinet.
“I have not received the Champions League and the World Cup,” he said. “These are my objectives now.”
