The new '10' for FC Barcelona is expected to be Lamine Yamal (18). After his 18th birthday on July 13, the youth academy graduate will change his jersey number.
Spain's 'Sport' reported on the 20th (Korea time) that "Barcelona's prospect Lamine Yamal will wear the number 10 jersey starting next season." This matter was confirmed by the account 'Memorabilia 1899', and it is becoming increasingly clear internally at the club.
Lamine Yamal is still 17 years old, but this is his third season in the first team. He has experienced two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one Supercopa with Barcelona, and has even won the Euro 2024 with the Spanish national team, playing significant roles in all seasons except his debut season.
The club has already begun preparations to develop Lamine into a key player for the team. As part of this, they are planning a contract renewal with significantly improved terms starting from his upcoming summer birthday. According to 'Sport', Barcelona's planned contract period extends until 2030, with the salary set to be adjusted to a level not much different from that of the club's top earners.
Barcelona is confident that this contract renewal will not lead to registration issues. Under the regulations introduced by La Liga in April, players under 24 who have played for the same club for three consecutive seasons can renew their contracts even without salary cap space. Yamal meets this requirement.
The media noted that "currently, Ansu Fati wears the number 10 jersey for Barcelona, but his chances of remaining with the team next season are low. According to reports, regardless of Ansu's situation, the number 10 is set to be handed over to Lamine, which carries strategic implications beyond just a symbolic change."
It continued, "Known as a 'La Masia graduate', Yamal has already recorded the highest merchandise sales among Barcelona players. Wearing the number 10 jersey is expected to increase his commercial value even more. The club is hopeful that this jersey number change will significantly contribute to enhancing the club's brand value."
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