A New Era Begins: Lamine Yamal Named Barcelona’s New Number 10

The speculation is over — Barcelona officially unveiled Lamine Yamal as their new number 10 on Wednesday (July 16), marking the beginning of a bold new chapter for the club.

Following Ansu Fati’s transfer to Monaco, the iconic shirt number — previously worn by legends such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi — has now been passed on to 18-year-old prodigy Yamal, who is widely regarded as the future of Barça.

The announcement came during the official signing ceremony for Yamal’s new contract, a renewal that had been agreed in principle since March but was formalized only after the forward turned 18 on Sunday.

“It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a child,” Yamal said at the event. “My family and I are incredibly proud. Barcelona is my life, my home. I’ve been at this club since I was seven years old. Every academy player dreams of reaching the first team, and I’m living that dream. I hope to win more, enjoy every moment, and keep improving — especially with the new Camp Nou coming.”

Breaking Records, Making History

Yamal made his first-team debut in the 2022/23 season at just 15 years, 9 months, and 16 days, becoming the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in over 100 years.

Since that historic debut, he has:

• Made 106 appearances
• Scored 25 goals
• Delivered 28 assists

His trophy haul already includes:

• 2 La Liga titles
• 1 Copa del Rey
• 1 Spanish Super Cup
• And most recently, UEFA Euro 2024, where he starred for Spain as one of the tournament’s standout performers.
• With the weight of Barça’s most legendary shirt now on his shoulders, Lamine Yamal represents both the present and the future of FC Barcelona — a symbol of La Masia’s enduring magic and the club’s unshakable belief in youth.