Lamine Yamal Embraces Barcelona Legacy with No.10 Shirt but Says: ‘I’m Under No Pressure’

Young Barcelona Star Lamine Yamal Indifferent to Hype as He Sets His Sights on Champions League and World Cup Glory

In the world of football, inheriting the No.10 shirt at Barcelona is no small deal. Worn by legends like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona, it carries the weight of greatness and the pressure of expectation. But if you ask Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old prodigy who’s just been handed that iconic number, you’d get a surprising answer: “I’m under no pressure.”

Fresh off signing a new contract that will keep him at the Camp Nou until June 2031, Yamal stood before the media and fans at a press conference that felt as much like a coronation as a renewal. Calm, confident, and mature beyond his years, he declared his love for the club, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him, and made it very clear that he isn’t fazed by the spotlight. “The truth is that I’m indifferent to both criticism and praise, unless it comes from my family or people very close to me,” he said. “Otherwise, one day I’ll be very high and the next I’ll be very low.”

A Dream Come True in the Shirt of His Idol

Lamine Yamal

Yamal’s rise at Barcelona has been nothing short of meteoric. With 106 appearances and 25 goals already to his name before turning 18, he’s setting records faster than most players can tie their boots. The club sees him not just as a future star, but as the present — someone who can carry the torch in the post-Messi era. That’s why they handed him the No.10 shirt, once synonymous with magic and Messi.

“This renewal means I’ll continue playing for the club of my life,” Yamal told reporters, clearly emotional but composed. “I’ll continue enjoying it. I’m under no pressure; I’ll continue enjoying myself with a different number.”

It’s easy to forget he only just turned 18. The maturity with which he handles questions about pressure, legacy, and ambition is remarkable. He knows the weight of the number he’s wearing — and he welcomes it.

Building on a Legendary Legacy

Asked which of Barcelona’s former greats he looked up to most, Yamal was diplomatic: “I’d keep everything from each of them,” he said, referring to Messi, Ronaldinho and Maradona. “I’m grateful for the club’s trust and I’ll try to continue that legacy.”

But he’s not trying to become Messi. He’s carving out his own path. And in his mind, that path leads to some of the biggest prizes in football. “I haven’t won the Champions League, so I want to win the Champions League and the World Cup,” he stated with calm conviction. “Winning the title we’ve been missing, which was the Champions League, and continuing to grow and play just as well.”

Ambition like that is common among rising stars, but with Yamal, there’s a sense that it’s not just talk. He’s already helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship. Now, with a long-term club deal signed and Hansi Flick set to take charge of Barcelona, there’s a real chance for him to push even higher.

Staying Grounded Amid the Buzz

Fame, especially for footballers in Spain, can be a double-edged sword. While Yamal is adored for his on-field brilliance, his personal life has already been touched by controversy. A video from his 18th birthday party recently surfaced showing performers with dwarfism — footage that sparked public backlash and even led to a government investigation. Yamal has not commented publicly on the matter, and Barcelona have remained tight-lipped.

But if his comments about criticism are anything to go by, Yamal has learned quickly how to stay focused. “I’m indifferent to both criticism and praise,” he repeated during the press conference, making it clear that his inner circle — not the media or online noise — shapes his mindset.

Breaking Records, Setting Standards

Yamal’s record-breaking journey began almost as soon as he stepped onto the pitch for Barca. He became the youngest player ever to reach 100 appearances for the club at just 17 years and 291 days. To put that into perspective: Messi didn’t reach the same milestone until he was 20 years and 248 days old.

In his short senior career so far, Yamal has already won two La Liga titles and a Copa del Rey with Barcelona. Those achievements, combined with his role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, have cemented his place as one of the brightest young talents in world football.

His story, too, is rooted in humility. His name — Lamine Yamal — isn’t just unique, it carries a deeply personal meaning. He was named after two men, Lamine and Yamal, who helped his parents pay rent before he was even born. It’s that kind of grounded upbringing that seems to be keeping him level-headed, even as his stardom explodes.

Idolising Neymar, Looking to the Future

Yamal recently visited Neymar Jr., another player who once wore Barcelona’s No.10 with flair and fire. He’s openly called Neymar his “idol,” and it’s easy to draw parallels between the two: gifted wingers with flair, vision, and the courage to take on defenders with the ball at their feet.

But while Neymar eventually left Barcelona in search of something different, Yamal’s heart seems firmly planted in Catalonia. “The club of my life,” he called it — and with a contract until 2031, that commitment runs deep.

Still, football careers are long and full of twists. For now, though, Yamal is focused on the next step: the 2025-26 season under a new manager and with new responsibility. The No.10 shirt is his, and so too is the opportunity to inspire the next generation the way Messi once inspired him.

Final Thoughts: A Star Who Knows Who He Is

What makes Lamine Yamal special isn’t just his talent — though there’s plenty of that. It’s the way he carries himself. At just 18, he’s already showing the poise of a seasoned professional. He knows the eyes of the football world are on him. He knows every goal, every assist, every mistake will be magnified. And still, he says he feels no pressure.

That might just be the secret to his success.

In an era where footballers are often as famous for their social media as they are for their skills, Yamal is choosing a different path: one where the football speaks for itself. And if his start is anything to go by, that voice is going to be very, very loud.