By 
Eighteen years ago, a teenage Lionel Messi posed with a baby for a UNICEF calendar photoshoot in the Barcelona locker room. The baby in question—Lamine Yamal—now finds himself following in Messi’s footsteps, not metaphorically, but quite literally. On July 16, 2025, Barcelona announced that Yamal would wear the No. 10 jersey starting next season—a number that needs no introduction in world football.
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With this change, the 18-year-old phenom becomes the latest bearer of a legacy so profound that it has become almost mythical. “It’s a number that carries weight. All kids would love to be like Messi, Ronaldinho, or Rivaldo. They’re legends, and I’ll try to follow in their footsteps,” Yamal said during the official announcement. The excitement in his voice was matched by an unmistakable calmness—perhaps the kind only prodigies possess.
The Rise of Lamine Yamal
Yamal’s ascent to Barcelona’s first team wasn’t merely a result of raw talent—it was a well-curated journey guided by promise, performance, and poise beyond his years. Born in 2007, Yamal joined La Masia, Barcelona’s revered youth academy, at just seven. From the outset, it was evident that this wasn’t just another talented youngster—he had a natural grace, vision, and technical mastery rarely seen even at senior levels.
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By 2023, Yamal had already made his senior debut, becoming the youngest ever to appear for the first team at the age of 15. Over the next two years, he blossomed into a reliable playmaker and goal contributor, with dazzling dribbles and intelligent positioning that invoked memories of Messi’s early days at Camp Nou. Wearing the No. 27 and later No. 19 jersey, Yamal steadily earned his place in a team searching for a new identity in the post-Messi era.
A Jersey of Legacy—and Pressure
The No. 10 jersey at Barcelona is not just a number; it is a symbol. Its history reads like a who’s who of football greatness—Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and of course, Lionel Messi. Messi wore the number for over a decade, etching his name into football history with his mesmerizing brilliance and rewriting record books in the process.
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Since Messi’s departure in 2021, the club had been cautious with handing out the No. 10. While Ansu Fati was given the number briefly, the expectations seemed to weigh heavily on him, and his career trajectory took a detour through injury and loan spells. This time, however, the club seems confident. And so does Yamal.
“He doesn’t just have the skill; he has the temperament,” said Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick. “The number isn’t a gift. It’s a responsibility. And we believe Lamine is ready for it.”
From Symbol to Signal
Barcelona’s decision to award the No. 10 jersey to Yamal is more than a gesture—it is a statement of intent. The club has long prided itself on its youth development, and with financial constraints in recent years, the emphasis on La Masia has grown even stronger.
In Yamal, Barcelona sees more than just a talented teenager. He represents the new generation of Blaugrana football—technical, tactical, and tactful. By giving him the No. 10, Barcelona signals that it is ready to entrust its future to its own.
The move also re-establishes the spiritual continuity of the club. Just as Messi once inherited the mantle from Ronaldinho, Yamal now takes over in a similar lineage, one that connects the eras of flair, dominance, and creativity.
A New Era, Not a Replica
Despite the comparisons with Messi, Yamal is determined to carve his own identity. “I know the comparisons will always be there, but I’m just focused on becoming the best version of myself,” he said.
And he has done just that. Unlike Messi, who operated more as a right winger drifting centrally, Yamal is versatile—able to function on either flank or even as an attacking midfielder. His dribbling is sharp but measured, his passing crisp, and his off-the-ball movement intelligent. He doesn’t replicate Messi’s game; he reflects it in spirit.
Off the pitch, Yamal has shown maturity rare for someone his age. He’s been low-key in lifestyle, focused on football, and eager to learn. Senior players at the club have spoken of his humility and appetite for growth—traits that resonate deeply in a culture that reveres hard work and commitment as much as flair.
Global Spotlight, Homegrown Heart
Yamal’s elevation to Barcelona’s No. 10 will inevitably bring global attention, but his heart remains rooted in the city and club that nurtured him. “Barcelona is home,” he stated. “I’ve grown up here, I’ve trained here, and I want to win everything with this shirt.”
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The sentiment echoes those of fans, many of whom have already adopted Yamal as the face of the new Barça. The Camp Nou faithful—soon to return to a renovated stadium—have found in Yamal a symbol of hope. A player who not only thrills with his feet but connects with his origins.
Spain and Beyond
Yamal’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed at the national level either. He was part of Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad and impressed with his composure and creativity. In fact, he became the youngest player to ever start in a knockout game for Spain, delivering an assist in the process.
He is expected to play a pivotal role in Spain’s 2026 World Cup campaign, and with the No. 10 shirt now on his back at Barcelona, the stakes—and expectations—have never been higher.
A Circle Completed
The story comes full circle with that iconic photograph—Messi holding baby Yamal in the Barcelona locker room. Back then, it was just an innocent moment for a good cause. Today, it feels like fate.
Messi holding baby Yamal-in-the-Barcelona-locker-room-Back-then-it-was-just-an-innocent-moment-for-a-good-cause
That baby, cradled in the arms of greatness, now steps into greatness himself. The symbolism couldn’t be richer. For a club built on dreams and drama, Lamine Yamal’s ascent is both poetic and powerful.
Final Whistle
Barcelona is not just giving Yamal the No. 10 jersey; it is giving him the keys to its footballing future. It’s a leap of faith, but one rooted in evidence—of talent, temperament, and tenacity.
The pressure will be immense. Every touch will be scrutinized, every game dissected. But if his journey so far is any indication, Yamal isn’t just ready to wear the jersey. He’s ready to honour it.
From No. 19 to No. 10, from La Masia to the world stage, Lamine Yamal isn’t chasing Messi’s shadow—he’s walking his own path in the same light.
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