Opinion: The torch is passed – Lamine Yamal begins new No.10 chapter at Barcelona | OneFootball

The handing of the torch is one of the most iconic traditions in the Olympic Games: a ceremonial gesture that transcends generations, symbolizing continuity, hope, and the enduring spirit of competition.

In FC Barcelona, a similar moment is quietly unfolding, not with flames or fanfare, but with the inheritance of the prestigious number 10 jersey that has been worn by many legends over the years, including Lionel Messi.

As the legendary echoes of Camp Nou’s past fade into memory, all eyes are turning to Lamine Yamal, the prodigious talent who has just inherited the weighty legacy of the No.10 shirt. This isn’t just a jersey swap; it marks the beginning of a new era.

From Ansu Fati to Lamine Yamal

Photo Courtesy: The official website of FC Barcelona

Ever since Ansu Fati left the club and joined AS Monaco, this announcement has been coming, and now, with Lamine finally turning 18 and putting pen to paper on a new deal, he has also been unveiled as the new number 10 of Barcelona.

The jersey has been worn by some of the club’s most iconic figures, each leaving a distinct mark on the tapestry of Blaugrana’s history. Before Fati’s brief tenure, it belonged to Lionel Messi, the club’s greatest ever, whose magic defined an era of arguably the best club football seen in history.

Before the Argentinian maestro, Ronaldinho danced across the Camp Nou turf with samba flair and a perpetual smile, wearing the number 10 on his back, making an entire generation fall in love with the beautiful sport.

Even before that, the jersey has been worn by legends like Rivaldo and Romario, among others. Now, as the hypothetical baton passes to Lamine Yamal, he has to be careful that he doesn’t let the weight of history burden his teenage shoulders.

The emergence of Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is back at pre-season training and is raring to go. (Photo Courtesy: The official website of FC Barcelona)

Over the course of the last season and a bit, the Spanish teenager has showcased his quality and established himself as not just one of the best young talents in the world, but he is already one of the very best in the world in his position.

His importance to Hansi Flick’s team cannot be understated, and he seems to live for the biggest of occasions. Thus, if there is any teenager in the world capable of handling the pressure of the number 10 jersey, it would have to be him.

That said, while Lamine’s early performances, mentality, and unique style on and off the pitch suggest he is ready, he will also know that every single mistake he makes is likely to be scrutinized with a magnifying glass, and he will also have a lot of hatred come his way.

It is sometimes easy to forget that it has only been a short stint at the top level for Lamine. He has been making giant strides, leaping across levels like they never existed, and one can call this the next stage of his evolution.

The burden of the number 10 and its legacy

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

With a fresh contract signed and the number 10 printed across his back, this is the next stage of Lamine’s coming-of-age story at Barcelona. The ink may still be wet, but the spotlight on him is already glaring and quite blinding in a sense.

While it may be a burden, it doesn’t feel like a burden that the teenager wants to shrug off. Lamine is not here to be the next Messi, but he is here to carve his own path, as the new number 10 of Barcelona. As he continues to take baby steps and giant leaps, as a fan, it makes the upcoming era extremely thrilling.

As Barcelona prepare to return to Camp Nou sooner rather than later, the sound of Lamine’s name being sung around the stadium, with a massive section of the fanbase wearing a jersey with his name and number printed on it, is something to look forward to. The journey has just begun.