Lamine Yamal is set to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi by wearing the number 19 shirt for Barcelona next season.
It had been suggested that the teenager might take Messi’s iconic number 10 shirt, which was left vacant last season when Ansu Fati joined Brighton & Hove Albion on loan. However, Yamal opted for the kit number which was also worn by the Argentine in the early stages of his career.
The Spaniard has cemented his position in the first-team setup for both club and country. Yamal had a breakthrough campaign last season, contributing significantly to Spain’s recent EURO 2024 triumph.
Previously, the 17-year-old had been assigned the number 27, but will now wear the historic number 19 that the likes of Sergio Aguero and Patrick Kluivert have donned while playing for Barca. Yamal progressed through the club’s academy system before making his senior debut in April 2023 at the age of 15.
