Pele, Maradona, Puskas, Di Stefano, Platini, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Baggio, Bergkamp… The number 10 is a sacred symbol in football history, worn by the greatest — or at least many of the greatest among the greats.We intentionally left Lionel Messi out of the opening list. He made his debut back in 2004 as a small, talented youngster from Rosario, wearing the number 30 shirt for Barcelona.He kept that number through the 2005/06, 2006/07, and 2007/08 seasons. Then, in the summer of 2008, when Ronaldinho left for Milan, the Brazilian magician left his number 10 as a legacy to the Argentine.”Well, thank goodness you still play and the No. 10 still exists.”Zinedine Zidane to Lionel Messi when discussing the lack of No. 10’s in modern football 🐐(via adidas) pic.twitter.com/RMui9KY2OX— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 9, 2023 There’s no need to retell Messi’s legendary journey through Barcelona — it would take too long — but in 2021, the bond was broken. The then seven-time (now eight-time) Ballon d’Or winner moved to Paris Saint-Germain, and the number 10 was passed on to Ansu Fati, Messi’s supposed heir and then most talented prospect.But injury after injury shattered the ideal of Barcelona’s next miracle. Knee, hip, tendon, calf, muscle… again and again. His talent wore down, progress stalled, opportunities were wasted. Meanwhile, a slender-legged kid came knocking on the first team’s door — and soon took command of European football! Fati proved to be a failed experiment; Lamine Yamal was the perfect mold to become Messi’s double.The young Spaniard delivered a domestic double for Barcelona, earned a place among the finalists for the Ballon d’Or, and this summer — he will become the new owner of Barcelona’s number 10 shirt!Barcelona will not reveal Lamine Yamal’s new #10 until his 18th birthday in July.His contract renewal and shirt number will be announced the same day.— @mundodeportivo pic.twitter.com/5goMpHd3Bs— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) June 27, 2025 It was only a matter of time. But Yamal’s currently measured ego speaks volumes — he didn’t want to “step over bodies” or snatch what naturally belonged to him. All he had to do was whisper that he wanted the magical number, and it would’ve been his.But he respected his friend Fati, showed no greed, only patience. Now that Fati is heading to Monaco, Yamal will take off the No. 19 shirt — and the number 10 will be printed below his name. Although Ansu is going on loan, the old number won’t wait for him, reports Mundo Deportivo.Coach, can my friend play a little bit?July 2nd is set as the date Barcelona will unveil their new kit, but they won’t officially announce Yamal as the new number 10 just yet. The club will wait until July 13th — Lamine’s 18th birthday — to make the announcement as part of a gala event, originally planned on May 27th when the generational talent signed a new contract until 2031. That’s when photos of Yamal wearing the iconic number will be shared worldwide.##NAJAVA_MECA_8996483##
