Lamine Yamal says Barcelona is the ‘club of his life' after becoming new No 10
Barcelona have announced that Yamal, who turned 18 on Sunday, will now don the iconic No 10 shirt, which was recently vacated by Ansu Fati, who joined Monaco on loan last month.
This comes after the winger signed a new six-year deal with La Liga champions in May, a contract that will see him stay at Barcelona until 2031.
The Spain international spoke on his happiness at the new shirt number, and paid respect to Lionel Messi, who wore the number between 2008 and 2021.
Lamine Yamal 10 🫶 pic.twitter.com/lSjjGvEXof
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2025
Speaking at the press conference for the unveiling of his new number, Yamal said: 'What this new contract means is that I'll keep playing in the club of my life. I'm enjoying myself. I don't have any pressure. We are all happy. It's time to enjoy with a different number but the same goal.'
'This is a big step, the start of a road which I hope can be long and full of victories. I want to enjoy next season more than the previous one.
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'Messi did his own path, I'll do mine. Now it goes from Ansu to Lamine. I'll work at my maximum, giving everything to make the Culers happy.
'If (criticism and praise) does not come from my family, friends, or people I care about, it makes no difference to me. I can't feel too up with praise nor too down when I'm criticized. Now it's time to focus on football and enjoy it.'
Since making his Barcelona debut in 2023 wearing the number 41, Yamal has since worn the numbers 27 and 19.
The teenager revealed that his Barcelona teammates congratulated him on inheriting the same shirt worn by the likes of Messi, Ronaldinho, and Diego Maradona, as well as the reason why the announcement was delayed.
'This day was postponed after I asked for it because of my grandmother,' he said. 'She was in Morocco some weeks ago and I wanted her to be here in such a special moment.
'I always have to thank her for everything she's done for me, although I'll never be able to pay her back as she deserves to.'
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