Lamine Yamal signs blockbuster new Barcelona contract & follows in Lionel Messi's footsteps by inheriting iconic shirt number & being crowned new No.10

The Catalan outfit have revealed that Yamal has signed a new contract until 2031 and he has taken the number 10 jersey for next season. The 18-year-old will now wear the shirt vacated by Ansu Fati, who joined Monaco on loan, and was previously worn by club legends Messi, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldinho.

Following his contract extension, Yamal boldly proclaimed: "Messi has made his path, I will make my own."

He added: "Messi, [Diego] Maradona, and Ronaldinho are three football legends. They have been three incredible players, Messi still is. I’ll try to follow that legacy."

Yamal, who is already among the favourites to win this year's Ballon d'Or despite only just turning 18, has already been anointed the heir apparent to the great Messi after a stunning season in 2024-25. The teenager helped Barca win La Liga and the Copa del Rey, and it seems there is a lot more to come from the winger. To be given a shirt worn by some legendary figures at the club shows how important he is to the Blaugrana already. That is highlighted by reports that he will earn a whopping £325,000 a week, which equates to €15 million (£12.5m/$17m) per season as a base salary, potentially rising to €20m (£17m/$23m) with bonuses. 

Spain international Yamal, who is in the midst of a turbulent summer, has begun his pre-season preparations with Barcelona this week. Football fans across the world will be eagerly awaiting how he gets on in the 2025-26 campaign.