Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal has officially been handed the club’s legendary No. 10 jersey, following in the footsteps of iconic figures such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi. The announcement was made on Wednesday at an event held by the club, where the 18-year-old also signed a contract extension that will keep him at Camp Nou until 2031.
“I`ll try to build my own path, but all kids would like to be like them,” Yamal said Wednesday at the club`s announcement. “All three have been incredible players, they`re legends, and I`ll try to follow in their footsteps.”
Yamal, who had been wearing the No. 19 shirt, becomes the latest in a historic line of footballing greats to don the number most associated with creativity, leadership, and brilliance at the Catalan giants.
Having turned 18 only this week, Yamal became eligible to officially sign the long-term deal that had been agreed upon earlier in May. The extension secures his future at Barcelona, a club he has called home since the age of seven.
“My goal is to keep winning and growing,” Yamal said. “It`s the club of my life. It`s my home, I`ve been here since I was 7 years old.”
The No. 10 shirt was last worn by Ansu Fati, who is currently out on loan with AS Monaco. Yamal was presented with the jersey by club president Joan Laporta, in the presence of his family members.
However, the week was not without its share of controversy. Yamal recently faced public criticism over reports that individuals with dwarfism had been hired as entertainment at his lavish 18th birthday celebration. The incident drew backlash on social media and from disability rights advocates.
Yamal chose not to directly address the criticism during the club event. When asked about it, he simply responded: “In the end I work for Barça, but when I`m away from the club`s training center, I enjoy my life and that`s it,” Yamal said. “I`m indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don`t come from my family or people close to me.”
(With inputs from AP)
