Jamal Musiala 'honoured' to follow in Lionel Messi's footsteps as Bayern Munich star discusses significant Germany promotion ahead of Euro 2024

The prodigious talent of Bayern Munich is excited for the upcoming European Championship as he will carry the No.10 on his back. The national team promotion marks the culmination of a childhood dream, influenced by legendary players like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Neymar, all of whom have donned the prestigious number for their respective nations.

Musiala's first appearance in Germany's No. 10 shirt came during a friendly match against France in March. The 21-year-old midfielder was bestowed this honour amid a stellar season with Bayern, which he ended with 12 goals and eight assists across 38 games in all competitions, despite the team ending up trophyless.

He played just nine minutes at the last European Championship, but made a significant impact during the 2022 World Cup. Although Germany's campaign ended in a disappointing group stage exit, Musiala’s performances were a bright spot, showcasing his potential as a future star for Die Mannschaft.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Musiala opened up about the significance of wearing the No. 10 jersey for Germany. "The No. 10 is a great honor," Musiala said. "It has been a dream since I was a little kid. Whenever I saw Messi, Ronaldinho, or Neymar playing football with the No. 10 as a child, it was my wish to be able to wear that number one day.

"So I am very proud that I can play for Germany with the No. 10, but I won’t let it go to my head. I will continue to play just as I did before with the No. 14 in the national team, or with the No. 42 at Bayern. It actually motivates me even more.”

The No. 10 jersey is more than just a number in football - historically worn by some of the greatest footballers, including Pele and Diego Maradona. It is often associated with a team's most skilled and influential player. Musiala’s acquisition of this number reflects the German national team's faith in his abilities and potential, which he will hope to unlock when they open their Euro 2024 campaign against Scotland on June 14.