Messi’s Heir: Lamine Yamal as Barcelona’s Number 10

There have been several reports circulating around the media that Barcelona might be looking to offload Ansu Fati, his Number 10 shirt could be handed to Lamine Yamal. Same news were there in January but Lamine rejected the Number 10 option out of respect for Fati.

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.

Two Sides of Being Barcelona’s Number 10

1-The Upside

Lamine being from La Masia justifies the role 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. His future is quite big.

2-The Downside

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.

Could he be Messi’s heir?

Lamine has showcased his talent to the entire world. Messi was a legend for this club and served them for almost 2 decades, to follow his footsteps there is no need for giving Lamine the Number 10 pressure. Lamine can build his own legacy, make himself a brand without the Number 10 jersey. Lamine is already in the spotlight every week, giving him the Number 10 would pile up more distractions for him.