Lamine Yamal inherits Barcelona’s iconic No. 10 Jersey in historic ceremony

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

FC Barcelona ushered in a new era today as 18-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal was officially handed the club’s legendary No. 10 jersey in a live-streamed ceremony at the newly renovated Camp Nou.

The event, attended by club president Joan Laporta, family members, and thousands of fans online, marked a pivotal moment for the La Masia graduate, who replaces Ansu Fati as the bearer of a number previously worn by football icons Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona.

Yamal, who turned 18 on July 13, 2025, also signed a landmark contract extension until June 2031, featuring a €1 billion release clause, underscoring Barcelona’s commitment to their rising star.

The ceremony, initially planned for his birthday, was postponed to July 16 due to controversy surrounding Yamal’s private birthday celebration, leading the club to opt for a controlled, private handover to avoid further scrutiny.

The No. 10 jersey, vacant since Ansu Fati’s loan move to AS Monaco earlier this month, carries immense symbolic weight at Barcelona.

Yamal, previously wearing No. 19, expressed humility and ambition in accepting the honour.

“This jersey is a dream for any kid at La Masia. Messi, Ronaldinho, Maradona—they’re legends, but I want to carve my own path,” Yamal said during the ceremony, flanked by his family, including his grandmother, whose emotional presence resonated with fans.

Yamal’s meteoric rise has captivated the football world. Since debuting for Barcelona’s first team in April 2023 at age 15, he has played over 100 matches, scoring 25 goals and providing 28 assists.

His pivotal role in Barcelona’s 2024/25 domestic treble—winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España—and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph has cemented his status as a generational talent.

Inter Milan’s manager Simone Inzaghi recently called him “a phenomenon born every 50 years” after Yamal’s standout performance in a Champions League semi-final.

The handover coincided with the unveiling of a mural in Yamal’s childhood neighborhood of Rocafonda, depicting him in the No. 10 jersey.

Funded by local initiatives and the club, the artwork symbolizes his deep ties to Barcelona’s community and his journey from a seven-year-old La Masia recruit to a global star.

“This mural means everything to me and my family. Rocafonda is where I grew up, and to see this honor here is unreal,” Yamal said, as locals cheered.

Club president Laporta praised Yamal as the cornerstone of Barcelona’s future.

“Lamine represents the spirit of Barça—talent, passion, and humility. Giving him the No. 10 is not just about his skill but about our belief in his leadership for the next decade,” Laporta stated.

The ceremony also showcased the near-completed Camp Nou, set to fully reopen for the 2025/26 season, with Yamal expected to be a central figure in the revamped stadium’s debut.