Lamine Yamal will follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and wear the Argentine’s old shirt number at Barcelona.
Yamal, despite his age, has become crucial for both club and country since breaking into the first team at the age of 15 in April 2023.
Th 17-year-old made history earlier this month after becoming the youngest ever goalscorer in European Championships history with a superb strike against France in the semi-final aged just 16 years and 362 days.
He then followed that up with an assist in the final to inspire Spain to European glory against England on Sunday.
Yamal had worn the No 27 for Barca but will now adopt the No 19 that was once worn and made famous by Messi.
Lamine Yamal will follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and wear the Argentine’s old shirt No
Lionel Messi famously wore the No 19 shirt for the Catalans between 2005 and 2008
Messi wore the No 19 shirt for the Catalans between 2005 and 2008 before taking No 10.
Sergio Aguero previously wore the shirt during his short stint at Barca, as did Patrick Kluivert during the 1998-99 season.
Vitor Roque wore the No 19 for Barca last season, having joined in January but his future at the club remains in doubt.
It has been a tremendous year for Yamal, who only turned 17 on Saturday, with the youngster looking fully at home on the big stage.
Yamal frequently tormented opponents at the Euros and the starlet will now return to Barca with his reputation having been enhanced even further.
Yamal inspired Spain to Euro 2024 glory with an assist against England in the final on Sunday
He won the Euro 2024 young player of the tournament award from the back of a season where he scored seven goals and provided ten assists in 51 appearances for Barca.
Spain finished top of Group B after winning all of their group games. They then overcame Georgia, Germany and France en route to the final.
