Lamine Yamal on the Weight of the No.10 Shirt: Following Messi’s Legacy at Barcelona

Barcelona teenage star opens up about the pressure of inheriting Lionel Messi’s iconic No.10 shirt

In the heart of Catalonia, the famous No.10 shirt at Barcelona isn’t just a number stitched onto the back of a jersey—it’s a symbol of greatness. Worn by legends such as Ronaldinho and, most memorably, Lionel Messi, it carries an aura, a weight, and, inevitably, expectations. Now, as the club begins its latest chapter with a new generation of homegrown talent, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal is at the centre of a growing conversation: could he be next in line?

For now, Yamal continues to dazzle fans and frustrate defenders wearing the No.19 shirt. But with Ansu Fati—the man who inherited the No.10 shirt after Messi’s departure in 2021—widely expected to leave this summer, the number is likely to be up for grabs again. And the calls for Yamal to take it on are getting louder.

The Making of a Star

To say Yamal has burst onto the scene would be an understatement. Since making his senior debut for Barça at just 15, the young winger has developed at a frightening pace. Within two seasons, he’s gone from squad rotation to a genuine first-team fixture, dazzling with his blend of quick feet, sharp vision and fearless attacking play.

He’s not just Barcelona’s future—he’s very much part of their present. And with whispers already beginning about a possible Ballon d’Or run in 2025, his stock has never been higher.

Yet despite the growing hype, Yamal remains grounded. Speaking in a recent interview with El Partidazo, he was quick to deflect talk about taking over the No.10 shirt and playing under Messi’s ever-present shadow.

“At the moment, Ansu has it,” he said, casually brushing aside the noise. “I wear number 19 and I really like it; it’s brought me luck. Is there more pressure to play with number 10? When I go to shoot at goal, I’m not going to think about what number I’m wearing.”

The No.10: More Than a Number

Lionel Messi Barcelona 2020

At most clubs, changing your shirt number might seem trivial—a nice story, maybe, but nothing more. At Barcelona, it’s different. The No.10 shirt became legendary during Messi’s reign, as the Argentine genius redefined what was possible on a football pitch.

From 2008 to 2021, Messi turned the No.10 into a badge of honour—winning seven Ballons d’Or, smashing goal records, and winning countless titles. So much so, that when he left for PSG, some fans even called for the number to be retired entirely.

Instead, it was handed to Ansu Fati, another La Masia wonderkid. Injuries and inconsistency, however, prevented Fati from truly making it his own, and with his future now looking to lie elsewhere, the club may soon need a new standard-bearer.

Enter Yamal.

Pressure or Privilege?

Lamine Yamal Barcelona 2024-25

It’s easy to forget just how young Yamal is. Still only 17, he’s navigating pressures and responsibilities most players don’t face until their mid-20s—if ever. The comparisons to Messi started almost immediately, not because of their playing styles (though both are left-footed and blessed with extraordinary balance), but because of where they came from and how early they started turning heads.

But Yamal, for his part, is trying not to let the comparisons define him.

“I understand the comparisons, but I am just trying to be myself,” he said earlier this season. “Messi is the greatest of all time. There will never be another like him.”

Those inside the club echo this sentiment. Xavi, who has overseen Yamal’s rise firsthand, has consistently praised the youngster’s mentality and work ethic—two things as vital as talent when wearing a shirt weighed down by history.

A New Era, A New Number?

Yamal first appeared for Barcelona wearing the No.41. He then moved to 27 during the 2023–24 campaign, before eventually settling on 19—a shirt once worn by Messi himself during his early days in the senior squad. That little detail hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Should he switch again this summer, it would mark his third number in three years. But this time, the leap would be far more symbolic. Taking on No.10 would not just mean a new number—it would be a statement: a sign that both club and player are ready to embrace the expectation.

Barcelona have, in recent seasons, doubled down on youth. With Xavi departing and a new coach set to arrive, the board seems to be leaning into the idea of building around homegrown stars like Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, and Gavi. The No.10 could serve as a symbol of that renewal.

What Comes Next?

Yamal turns 18 in July, and with it comes a new professional contract that is expected to reflect his importance to the club’s long-term plans. Talks are reportedly well advanced, with a significant release clause and wage increase on the table.

Whether that deal includes a change of shirt number remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: no matter what he wears on his back, Lamine Yamal is already carrying the hopes of a fanbase craving the next great chapter in Barcelona’s rich footballing story.

For now, though, he’s happy to keep doing what he does best—gliding past defenders, creating moments of magic, and leaving the rest of us wondering how on earth a teenager is making it all look so easy.

As for the No.10 shirt? That decision can wait. Greatness doesn’t come from a number—it’s written on the pitch.