17-year-old striker Lamine Yamal was given the number 19 shirt at Barca from the 2024-2025 season, like Lionel Messi in 2005-2008.
Yamal’s career is similar to Messi’s, even in terms of shirt number at Barca. The striker born in 2007 played well last season with shirt number 27, but was allowed to change to shirt number 19 from the 2024-2025 season. Meanwhile, Messi started his career at Barca with shirt number 30, then also wore shirt number 19.
Yamal will wear Messi’s number 19 shirt at Barca from 2005-2008. Photo: BR
19 is also the first number worn by both Messi and Yamal at a major tournament for their national teams. Messi wore this shirt at the 2006 World Cup, at the age of 19, when he played three games, scored one goal and assisted one goal. At Euro 2024, Yamal wore the number 19 shirt, scored one goal and assisted four goals, won the best young player award and helped Spain win the championship.
Last season, striker Vitor Roque wore the No. 19 shirt at Barca without success, with the 19-year-old starting just two La Liga games. He was not registered for the 2024-2025 season, despite having six months left on his contract with the club. Therefore, Yamal inherited the shirt.
Messi has worn the No. 10 shirt since the 2008-2009 season, when he exploded to help Barca win the treble, while the Argentine superstar also won his first Ballon d’Or. Since leaving Barca in the summer of 2021, the shirt has been given to Ansu Fati. Last season, Fati was on loan at Brighton, but he returned to continue wearing the No. 10 shirt.
As a newborn, Yamal was bathed by Messi at a UNICEF event, when the Argentine was still wearing the number 19 shirt. As an adult, Yamal has the same playing style as his senior, being left-footed, able to dribble, pass the ball to create opportunities and shoot from long range.
Video Player is loading.
When asked about the possibility of becoming “the next Messi”, Yamal said he would be satisfied if he achieved only half of his senior’s career. Currently, Yamal is unlikely to compete for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, but is likely to win the Golden Boy award, like Messi did at the age of 18.
