Lamine Yamal inherits Messi’s iconic Barcelona quantity 10 jersey

Barcelona’s electrical 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal has been handed the well-known quantity 10 shirt beforehand worn by membership icon Lionel Messi, capping a outstanding breakthrough season for {the teenager}.

Yamal earned the jersey after a stellar marketing campaign the place he netted 18 objectives and supplied 25 assists as Barcelona swept the home treble of LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Tremendous Cup whereas they reached the Champions League semi-finals.

The teenager, who wore the quantity 19 shirt final season, had already dedicated his long-term future to the membership, signing a contract extension in Might that can hold him at Barcelona till 2031.

On Wednesday, he acquired the quantity 10 shirt from membership president Joan Laporta in a particular ceremony.

The quantity 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 quantity 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 in which with the quantity 10, I’ll make mine,” Yamal informed reporters.

“They’re three soccer and membership legends. Each child desires of getting one thing from Messi, Ronaldinho and Maradona… I will attempt to keep on that legacy.

“First, my dream was to debut for Barca and put on the quantity 10. Everybody who grows up right here desires of that. I am grateful to the membership.”

Following Messi’s exit, the jersey was handed to younger winger Ansu Fati however the now 22-year-old didn’t stay as much as his early promise and he was ultimately loaned out to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Fati will spend subsequent season on mortgage at AS Monaco, clearing the way in which for Yamal to inherit certainly one of soccer’s most well-known shirt numbers.

Having additionally gained the European Championship with Spain final yr, Yamal stated his subsequent objective was to win the titles which can be lacking from his trophy cupboard.

“I have not gained the Champions League and the World Cup,” he stated. “These are my objectives now.”