Barcelona officials are aware of the overwhelming popularity Lamine Yamal has achieved thanks to his amazing performances, and the decision to honor him was made in the best possible way, for both sporting and marketing reasons.
Since the 17-year-old was promoted to the first team alongside Xavi Hernandez two seasons ago, he has succeeded in becoming Barcelona’s top star. Despite his young age, he quickly became a strong candidate to win the Ballon d’Or.
Lamine Yamal is a Visa ambassador for the 2026 World Cup
Yamal will wear the number 10 shirt for Barcelona next season
Mundo Deportivo confirmed that Barcelona’s management has decided to give Lamine Yamal the number 10 shirt, which has been worn by many Barcelona legends, starting next season.
The number 10 shirt belonged to Ansu Fati last season, but now the Spanish international is on his way to join Monaco on loan, and the number will become available. Joan Laporta’s management believes that no one is more deserving of wearing this historic shirt than Yamal.
Barcelona’s decision comes for two reasons: the first is to add value to Yamal’s contract renewal, which is scheduled to become official when the player turns 18 next July. The second is for marketing reasons, as the club is expected to reap huge profits from selling the number 10 shirt in Yamal’s name as “Lionel Messi’s heir” at Camp Nou.
🚨🚨🌕| Lamine Yamal will be Barcelona’s new 10.
Everyone within the club is on board with this decision. It will be announced as soon as he turns 18 next month.
[@sergisoleMD] 🔵🔴🌟 pic.twitter.com/jUchYAxkxU
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) June 27, 2025
Barcelona’s number 10 is synonymous with legends
Barcelona’s number 10 has witnessed several legends, undoubtedly the most prominent of which is Lionel Messi, who wore it from 2008 until his departure in 2021, writing one of the most beautiful stories in football history.
The 1990s Ballon d’Or winner, Hristo Stoichkov, also wore the number 10, as did legendary coach Pep Guardiola, along with one of Brazil’s greatest players in history, Romario. Diego Armando Maradona, who wore the number 10 shirt during his two-year career from 1982 to 1984, and the duo Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, also wore it.
After Messi left Barcelona, ​​he wore the number 10 shirt. Ansu Fati was the one who received this great honor. However, injuries significantly hindered the player’s career, and he was once loaned to Brighton. Now, he will permanently leave Camp Nou, leaving his number to a rising legend, Lamine Yamal.
Yamal’s Statistics with Barcelona
Since his promotion to the first team, Yamal has made 108 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and providing 35 assists.
The 17-year-old led Barça to three domestic titles this season: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
