Barcelona has long been a cradle for footballing superstars, with La Masia producing a steady stream of world-class talent. From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to the legendary Lionel Messi, the club’s conveyor belt of greatness continues to shape the future of the game.
The latest gem to emerge is 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who is already making waves on the big stage. In a symbolic step that underscores his growing stature, Yamal has opted to switch his shirt number from 19 to the iconic number 10, a number last worn by Ansu Fati and immortalised by Messi. With Fati now off to Monaco, the legendary shirt is once again in superstar hands. Mundo Deportivo are reporting the news ahead of the new kit release next week with the comfirmation reported to be later within pre-season.
It’s evident that shirt numbers haven’t been a major pressing issue for Lamine Yamal, having previously worn 41 and 27 during his early rise. However, taking on the legendary number 10 carries a different weight, a symbolic step toward following in the footsteps of his idol, Lionel Messi.
The switch is expected to be completed behind the scenes once Ansu Fati's departure is officially sealed. A public unveiling, though, is likely to be reserved for a fitting moment: Yamal’s 18th birthday on July 13, which also marks the start of Barcelona’s pre-season.
Is the move a mistake?
Taking on the number 10 shirt at Barcelona is a move steeped in tradition, pressure, and expectation, we saw what it did to former hopeful, Ansu Fati, albeit there is a difference in quality between La Masia products. For Lamine Yamal, it might be a step taken too soon.
From the club’s perspective, entrusting the most iconic number in football to a 17-year-old, no matter how gifted, comes with significant risk. Yamal had already begun shaping his own identity in the number 19 shirt for both club and country, a number that offered the freedom to build a legacy away from the towering shadow of those who came before him.
In today’s game, shirt numbers are more than just identifiers, they’re part of a player’s personal brand. Sticking with #19 could have allowed Yamal to cultivate a distinct image, one unbound by direct comparison to legends. Just as Cristiano Ronaldo built the globally recognised “CR7” and Kylian Mbappé has made #7 synonymous with his own stardom at PSG, Yamal had the chance to turn #19 into a modern symbol of a new era at Barcelona and Spain, something uniquely his.
From a marketing standpoint, #19 held the potential to become a fresh, iconic emblem for fans to rally behind. It could have told the story of a rising star forging his own path, offering a compelling counterpoint to Messi’s legacy rather than competing with it. That narrative, of a youth academy gem forging a new identity, was marketable, authentic, and powerful.
But by switching to #10, Yamal now steps directly into the silhouette of Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player in the sport’s history. The move brings inevitable comparisons, intensified scrutiny, and expectations that would weigh heavily on even the most seasoned professionals. While the change may boost short-term hype, it risks tethering Yamal’s identity too tightly to Messi’s. Instead of carving out his own spotlight, he now faces the burden of living up to an almost mythical standard.
For all his potential, this symbolic decision could complicate his journey to greatness, making it harder to be seen as the first Lamine Yamal, rather than the next Messi.