Ronaldinho wants Lionel Messi to be the last no. 10 at Barcelona
Lionel Messi is no longer a Barcelona player for the first time in his senior career. The 34-year-old redefined the role of false nine, and right-winger. His incredible speed and agility allowed him to dribble past defenders like they were not even there. In his prime the magician could score up to 91 goals in a single season, club and nation combined. There is truly none else like him in the world, and former Barcelona legend, Ronaldinho, believes that the number 10 shirt should be retired along with Messi, as a gesture of honor towards the player.
More from Everything Barca
- FC Barcelona tracking Belgian Wonderkid
- FC Barcelona vs Betis Player Ratings
- Barça boss Xavi to get contract extension
- FC Barcelona planning swoop for Arsenal midfielder
- Barcelona interested in €30 million wonderkid
The iconic number 10 jersey was passed down to Messi by Ronaldinho himself, in 2008. The Brazilian superstar was getting ready for a move to AC Milan, and Messi was getting ready to fill in the superstar’s boots.
A lot of pressure was put on Messi’s shoulders at a very young age, and to replace Ronaldinho would be no easy job. However, the man is not from this world, and not only did he replace the Brazilian, he made the number 10 jersey, a part of his legacy. This legacy is so strong that no other player can be imagined in a number 10 Barcelona jersey again, according to Ronaldinho.
Ronaldinho wants Barcelona to retire the no. 10 Jersey for Lionel Messi
The player who brought back Barcelona from the brink of bankruptcy, and exit from the elite status, thinks that the number 10 jersey cannot be given to anyone else after Messi. The Brazilian said in an interview with TuttoMercatoWeb,
"“He must stay, he is the history of Barca. When Messi retires, which I hope will be in a long time, he can leave the No 10 there and nobody will touch it again.”Source Goal"
Both the number 10s played a monumental role in Barcelona’s history, and although Messi is the undisputed King of Barcelona, with Ronaldinho’s transfer in 2003, we might have never seen a Barca side so dominant in European and Spanish football. It is great to see the former legend still rooting for his old club and his former teammates, and we can just hope that Messi listens to his advice and pens a new deal with the Catalans.
Next. Barcelona Transfers: Top 5 replacements for Gerard Pique. dark
Should Barca retire the no. 10 jersey for Lionel Messi?