Lamine Yamal takes No19 shirt at Barcelona, following Messi’s footsteps

Lamine Yamal will observe within the footsteps of Lionel Messi and put on the No 19 shirt for Barcelona subsequent season.

The 17-year-old, who progressed via the membership’s youth academy earlier than his making senior debut on the age of 15 in April 2023. Regardless of his age, the Spain worldwide has turn into a key participant for membership and nation.

Yamal had been carrying the No 27, however now will put on the No 19 that was made well-known by Messi who donned the quantity between 2005 and 2008. Sergio Aguero had additionally beforehand worn the shirt, as did Patrick Kluivert through the 1998-99 season.

It had been speculated that Yamal may take Messi’s former No 10 shirt at Barcelona, which was left vacant final season when Ansu Fati joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a season-long mortgage. Fati is because of return to Barcelona following his spell in England, the place he began solely three Premier League video games.

GO DEEPER

The story behind the viral photographs of Lionel Messi and a child Lamine Yamal

Vitor Roque, who joined Barcelona from Athletico Paranaense in January, wore the No 19 shirt through the 2023-24 season, and the Brazilian’s future on the Spanish membership stays undecided.

The Athletic beforehand reported that Barcelona had been planning to ship the 19-year-old out on mortgage. Sources from the teaching employees and the board of administrators say the best situation could be for him to get common minutes at one other top-flight Spanish aspect to assist him get to know the language and the fashion of soccer.

Yamal, in the meantime, has scored seven targets and offered ten assists in 51 appearances for Barcelona.

{The teenager} has made 14 appearances for Spain, seven of these coming on the European Championship the place his long-range objective in opposition to France within the semi-final helped his aspect progress to the ultimate of the competitors for the primary time since 2012, and gained the award for objective of the event. He additionally offered an help within the ultimate in opposition to England as Spain gained 2-1.