Lamine Yamal, facing the great challenge of emulating Leo Messi's first year as Barça's '10'

FC Barcelona begins a new season next Saturday, August 16, at Son Moix against Mallorca, the first with Lamine Yamal as the star and main reference of their sports project. At only 18 years old, the player from Mataró takes on the challenge of wearing the '10' on his back and being the leader of a great Barça.

Just as Lionel Messi did in 2008, Lamine takes on the weight of a historic number, with the mission of leading the 'Azulgrana' team towards their sixth European Cup. The Spanish international, however, takes on the challenge three years younger than 'La Pulga', in what will only be his third full season with the first team.

This was Messi's first season as Barça's '10'

In 2009, Leo had already turned 21 and was facing his fifth season with Barça. The Rosario native took the '10' from Ronaldinho and, with Pep Guardiola on the bench, ended up exploding his goal-scoring production and enormous talent.

In total, Messi scored 38 goals and provided 19 assists in 51 games that season, meaning he produced 47 goals (0.92 per game), being the total leader of a team that amazed the world with its brilliant play and remarkable dominance in all competitions.

Barça closed the 08/09 season by winning their first treble and the third Champions League in their history. Before that season, 'La Pulga' had already won one 'Orejona' (in 2006), two La Liga titles, and an Olympic gold medal.

Lamine Yamal, ready to surpass La Pulga's records

Yamal, at 18 years old, already boasts a similar record. In his trophy cabinet, there are already four official trophies with Barça, including two La Liga titles, as well as a European Championship with Spain. Both players won the Golden Boy award and were finalists for the Ballon d'Or before taking the '10' for 'Azulgrana'.

Lamine, in fact, can win the award given annually by 'France Football' this year, for his merits in the 24/25 season. The player from Rocafonda already won the domestic treble the previous season and, with Hansi Flick on the bench, has the confidence of having a great team behind him capable of winning everything in 2026.

In terms of individual statistics, the Catalan can already boast numbers superior to those of Leo Messi in his first seasons in Barcelona. The winger scored 18 goals and provided 23 assists in 55 matches, while the Rosario native's top, prior to 08/09, was 16 goals and the same number of assists in 07/08. 

1. Leo Messi's best season before wearing Barça's '10': 2007/08, with 16 goals and 16 assists in 40 matches (he did not win any titles that year, he was 20 years old).
2. Lamine Yamal's best season before wearing Barça's '10': 2024/25, with 18 goals and 23 assists in 55 matches (he won La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup at 17 years old).

Will Lamine be able to surpass Messi's first season with Barça's '10'? His spectacular current form and enormous talent invite us to dream big, as long as the 18-year-old player manages to stay physically healthy in a season with 60 or more matches and four competitions at stake.