Reports from El Chiringuito de Jugones indicate that Barcelona will offer Lamine Yamal the famous Number 10 jersey next season.
Signifcance of Number 10
The number 10 jersey at Barcelona is more than just a shirt number, it’s a symbol of greatness. This jersey number is a legacy of players who have shaped the club’s golden history. This number was carried on from greats which include Maradona to Ronaldinho to Lionel Messi. Whenever the team needed something in a difficult situation, this number 10 jersey brought the magic needed. Wearing this jersey at a club like Barcelona defines being the face of the club. At just 17 Lamine has proved himself and has shown enough promise to carry out this role.
Currently, Barcelona’s number 10 jersey is under Ansu Fati, he is another wonderkid who graduated from the ranks of La Masia but couldn’t justify the jersey. The reason could be injuries or the burden of carrying out this load.
The Positive side of being number 10 a barcelona
Lamine being a product of Barcelona’s La Masia justifies the burden of this jersey, as he embodies the values of pressure, intelligence, and skill. Handling him this jersey would continue the tradition of the club in believing in youth and nurturing homegrown stars.
This move would symbolize the club’s belief in Lamine’s potential and expect him to start a new era. This would be much like what Messi and Ronaldinho did in carrying the club to the very top. This can also boost Lamine’s confidence as he will understand the support he is getting from the club and the fans.
Lamine purely deserves this also based on his achievements at just 17. Lamine won the Kopa Trophy this year, he was also named the Golden Boy award and also featured in the Best Fifa Men Pro XI of the year. This shows how big his future is.
The negative side of being Number 10 at Barcelona
Being the number 10 at Barcelona is one of the greatest honors for any football player, but this jersey expects a lot from you. If the expectations are not met, the pressure is very lethal. An example of this is Barcelona’s current number 10, Ansu Fati. Fati was also regarded as the “next big thing”, he was given the number 10 for his impressive performances at the club. He got injured and never came back to his best.
If Lamine is given the number 10, he should be ready for the pressure. This pressure is to live up to the legacies lived by legends like Ronaldinho and Messi. This kind of pressure could weigh heavily on a 17-year-old. Constant scrutiny from fans and media creates a relentless spotlight, not in a good way, magnifying minor mistakes. This can lead to confidence issues, which directly affect the player mentally on and off the field.
What’s good for Lamine?
In my opinion, Barcelona should not hurry this decision. Lamine is young and still needs to learn a lot. Being a Barcelona player already puts pressure on the winger, and I think handling another source of pressure is just ruthless for the youngster. Even if Barcelona offers Lamine the number 10, Lamine should decline the offer and continue to focus on his performances. What do you guys think about this? Leave your thoughts in the comment section.