Barcelona youth player Lamine Yamal is said to be ready to claim the club’s coveted No.10 shirt if Ansu Fati’s loan deal to AS Monaco becomes official. Barcelona dignitaries have already identified Yamal to be the bearer of the number of Lionel Messi’s fans, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Fati, who in 2021, after getting the shirt, was likened to Messi’s heir by many, has been almost a non-entity lately due to his frequent injuries and bad form.
He is on the way to lose his place in the lineup at Camp Nou. The 22-year-old is likely to go to Monaco on a loan deal with a possible purchase, thus no.10 will be available for someone new to wear.
The number 19 will become Yamal’s old number as he takes over the shirt that Fati has left after completing his departure. Yet, Yamal’s official debut won’t take place until he becomes 18 on July 13, which is also the first day of Barcelona’s pre-season.
No.10 jumper is a very heavy mantle that every player wearing it in Barcelona carries with him. It’s a legacy which was carried on by players like Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Romário, and of course Messi but is not just a squad number anymore. However, club insiders still think that Yamal is up for it mentally and is gaining his flying run in Catalonia.