Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is reportedly set to inherit Lionel Messi's iconic No 10 shirt after signing a new contract with the club this summer.
The 17-year-old sensation, who has drawn widespread comparisons to Messi, has emerged as one of football's brightest talents and is now poised to follow in the footsteps of the Argentine legend by taking on the famous jersey.
Lamine Yamal is set for a long term contract
ReutersDespite only being 17, Yamal has established himself as a Ballon d'Or contender this season after winning the Euros with Spain last year.
He is widely regarded as the game's biggest talent since Messi burst onto the scene almost two decades ago.
The similarities between the pair have been frequently noted, with Yamal now set to follow in Messi's footsteps once again by donning the prestigious number.
According to Memorabilia1899.com, Yamal will celebrate his 18th birthday in July by signing a new long-term contract with Barcelona that will contain a €1bn (£841m) release clause.
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Yamal is set to take Messi's iconic number 10 at Barcelona
PAThe deal will also see Yamal handed the No 10 shirt which is currently occupied by Ansu Fati, who is facing an uncertain future at the club.
Yamal has been wearing the No 19 shirt this season but will take over the iconic number as he continues his meteoric rise.
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This will signify another historic moment in Yamal's fledgling career, after he made his Barcelona debut two years ago when he was only 15.
Since then, he has won LaLiga twice and starred in Barcelona's run to the Champions League semi-finals this season before they were knocked out by Inter Milan in a thrilling tie.
Yamal looks primed to dazzle in the No 10 shirt for years to come, just like Messi did after he took the jersey in 2008.
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Lamine Yamal became the youngest Kopa Trophy winnerReutersMessi made the No 10 shirt his own for 13 years, winning the Ballon d'Or on seven occasions during this period, before adding another to his collection in 2023 after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
The Argentine icon finished his Barcelona career in 2021 with a staggering 672 goals in 778 appearances, plus 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League triumphs to his name.
Yamal has big boots to fill, but has already shown that he can light up the biggest stages. The winger had pundits purring over his ability earlier this month after Barcelona's 3-3 draw with Inter.
Rio Ferdinand wrote on X: 'As a pure football talent I think Lamine Yamal is on another level to any player playing the game in the top 5 leagues in world football. 17yrs old - Truly unbelievable.'
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher said on CBS Sports: 'That (performance) was Messi-esque. That was like watching Messi in his heyday.'
