Barcelona’s New No.10: Lamine Yamal Turns 18 and Takes Centre Stage

Barcelona’s New No.10: Lamine Yamal Turns 18 and Takes Centre Stage

Lamine Yamal turned 18 this week, and Barcelona marked the milestone by handing their teenage prodigy the club’s most iconic shirt: the number 10.

The decision places Yamal in the footsteps of legends like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Diego Maradona—a weighty responsibility for a player still in the early stages of his career.

“I don’t want to compare myself with anyone, and even less with Messi. He is football’s greatest. I’m making my own way,” Yamal said calmly.

A Record-Breaking Start

By 18, Yamal has already played 106 first-team games for Barcelona, including:

• 73 in La Liga

• 23 in European competitions

• 6 in Copa del Rey

• 4 others

In comparison, Messi had only 9 senior appearances for Barça by the same age.

Yamal’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric:

• 🏆 2 La Liga titles

• 🏆 1 Copa del Rey

• 🏆 Spanish Super Cup

• 🏆 Euro 2024 winner with Spain

Stats Speak for Themselves

His improvement last season was astonishing:

• 2023-24: 7 goals, 9 assists

• 2024-25: 18 goals, 25 assists

It’s no surprise Barcelona extended his contract until 2031, inserting a staggering €1bn release clause to ward off Europe’s elite.

Staying Grounded Amid Stardom

Despite the media hype, Yamal stays level-headed. Raised in the working-class Rocafonda district of Mataró, his family remains his anchor.

His goal celebration—forming “304” with his fingers—pays homage to his neighborhood’s postcode.

Off the pitch, Yamal balances his rise with normal teenage life. A teetotal, practising Muslim, he’s described as “humble yet driven” by those close to him.

Messi Comparisons & No.10 Pressure

After Ansu Fati’s departure to Monaco, Yamal inherits Barça’s legendary number. Shirt sales have surged even before the club’s official announcement.

But Yamal refuses to be overwhelmed:

“As long as I’m winning, they can’t say anything,” he remarked recently.

What’s Next for Barcelona’s Wonderkid?

With a World Cup approaching and Hansi Flick backing his development at Barça, fans are eager to see if Yamal can continue his upward trajectory.

For now, the boy from Rocafonda is focused on writing his own story—one dribble, one goal, one game at a time.