Leo Messi's 'heir'? Barcelona would give Lamine Yamal the '10' next season

Wearing the number 10 shirt of any football team poses a major challenge for the footballer who assumes it. Indeed, the '10' is often synonymous with a different, special, technically gifted player with enough quality to tilt the commitment in favor of their team with just one technical gesture. A player who has that 'aura'.

At FC Barcelona, this is no exception, as the number '10' shirt has been worn by several of the best footballers in the history of the institution, such as Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Maradona, among others. However, the most iconic of them all has been Lionel Andrés Messi, arguably the best player in the club's history, with the most matches played (778), goals scored (672), and assists provided (303), being the undisputed protagonist of several historic feats for the Blaugrana team.

Now, with a player of such caliber carrying the number 10 shirt, the question was inevitably obvious: when Leo Messi decided to retire or leave the club for any other reason, who would be tasked with wearing that iconic jersey, with so much history on their shoulders? The time came, and the Argentine announced his painful departure from Barcelona in 2021, leaving that shirt vacant and a great mystery in the air.

Ansu Fati emerged as a potential heir to Messi's '10'

This mystery was solved by the club, awarding the '10' to Ansu Fati in that same year, 2021. Fati emerged in the first team with merit and a stellar breakthrough, becoming a clear candidate to be the worthy heir to that great responsibility.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances of fate and a career marked by irregularity and injuries, Ansu Fati could not meet all the expectations placed on him at Barcelona. This suggests that unless there is a change in the forward's situation, it is only a matter of time before that shirt is left vacant.

Lamine Yamal: The new '10' of Barcelona?

If that shirt were to become vacant, there already seems to be a candidate ready to wear it, and what a candidate! According to journalist Jota Jordi on 'El Chiringuito de Jugones,' the clear contender to wear the '10' for Barcelona next season is Lamine Yamal: "Lamine will wear the '10' at Barcelona next year."

Lamine Yamal has strong grounds to support his candidacy to be the '10' of FC Barcelona. The forward, currently wearing the number '19' shirt, like Leo Messi did before donning the legendary '10,' has at just 17 years old become the great young star of Barça and, why not, of world football.

This matter goes beyond statistics; it's also about what he demonstrates on the field. He is the player who, when he takes the ball, creates that undeniable feeling that something could happen. He possesses a quality, creativity, and inventiveness that he brazenly puts at the service of the Catalan team and the Spanish national team, becoming a headache for his opponents.

It could be a real market coup

He has already been widely praised, and his budding legend is starting to grow. He has become a global reference and, of course, the player that rivals watch closely, crafting specific plans to limit his impact. Moreover, he is a resource his teammates turn to in order to unlock the game with a dangerous play.

He is also a figure that demands the attention of fans who had felt desolate after the departure of Leo Messi and the disappointment with Ansu Fati. With Lamine, they have regained hope of having a world-class 'crack', a sentiment reflected in the applause he receives and, even more so, in the jerseys with his name on them, being the most sought after in stores. Imagine if he ultimately assumes the responsibility of wearing the '10' jersey? It's something to ponder...