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Topics: Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, La Liga
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, Lionel Messi, La Liga
Lamine Yamal will follow in the footsteps of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi and receive the ultimate honour on the day of his 18th birthday, according to reports in Spain.
The 17-year-old enjoyed another impressive campaign for Hansi Flick's side across 2024/25, notching 18 goals and 21 assists as Barcelona completed the domestic treble.
Yamal was recently rewarded for his efforts, becoming the highest paid teenager in world football and one of Barca's highest earners after signing a six-year deal worth just over £644,000 per week.
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Barcelona said in a statement that a contract extension for Yamal was "another demonstration of the solidity of the current project", but it appears they will go one step further next month.
A report from Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claims the teenager will inherit the number 10 jersey at a special event on Sunday, July 13, which happens to be the day of his 18th birthday.
Having been unable to attend Joan Laporta 's office on the day of Yamal's contract signing, his paternal grandmother, Fatima, will be present at the event next month.
There is a unanimity among Barcelona's top brass that the Spain international is 'more than ready' to take on the responsibility of wearing the number 10, which is current worn by Ansu Fati.
Fati, however, appears to be on the verge of joining Ligue 1 side Monaco on a season-long loan.
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"Lamine Yamal has always been respectful of his great friend Ansu Fati," say Mundo Deportivo. "He has never wanted to appear greedy for the number 10, which holds enormous symbolism in football and also in the history of Barca."
The report adds that everything is decided and Yamal will wear swap his number 19 for 10 when pre-season begins.
Following the departure of Lionel Messi in 2021, Barcelona made the much-talked-about decision to hand his jersey number to La Masia academy graduate Fati.
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The club released as statement outlining why the "record breaker" was the perfect player to take the number, but he struggled to break into Barca's first-team, and was loaned out to Premier League side Brighton in 2023/24.
"It is not a pressure," Fati said after he was handed the number 10. "I am proud to wear it after Leo. I am happy with the club and captains for the opportunity."