Can Lamine Yamal break Lionel Messi’s record as Barcelona’s longest-serving No. 10?

If the No. 10 jersey at Barcelona could talk, it would have stories worthy of a Netflix docuseries. From Maradona’s magic to Ronaldinho’s samba skills, and of course, Lionel Messi’s GOAT status, the iconic number is less of a shirt and more of a throne.

And now, stepping into that legacy is Lamine Yamal — a teenager who doesn’t just wear the No. 10, he owns the swagger that comes with it.

Yamal, who turned 18 just days ago, has been handed the keys to Barcelona’s football kingdom. It’s not a gift. It’s a challenge.

Can the boy from Rocafonda someday surpass the Argentine king who ruled Camp Nou for 13 straight seasons with 672 goals in 778 appearances?

Or is the crown simply too heavy?

This isn’t your usual "kid with potential" story. This is a generational talent walking the same path as Messi — literally.

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Both debuted as teens, both wore No. 19 before inheriting No. 10, and both are La Masia products with feet that seem to defy physics.

"Messi made his path and I will make mine," said Yamal, confident but grounded.

That balance between belief and humility might be his biggest strength.

A photo for the books. 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/oCpCC3aHW1

All Barcelona players to wear No. 10

The No. 10 jersey at Barca has a long history, but it didn’t always belong to superstars.

Before La Liga mandated fixed squad numbers in 1995, the No. 10 was just a position marker. Since then, the list of wearers reads like football’s version of a Hall of Fame.

Ronaldinho dazzled fans from 2003 to 2008. Rivaldo banged in goals from impossible angles. Romário was as clinical as they come. Diego Maradona was... well, Maradona. And Lionel Messi turned the shirt into a symbol.

After Messi’s departure in 2021, Ansu Fati wore it briefly but never quite lived up to the billing, plagued by injuries and inconsistency.

Enter Yamal. With over 100 appearances and 25 goals already, the numbers are impressive — especially for someone who still can't legally rent a car in most countries.

Let's have a look at all Barcelona players to wear the iconic No. 10 and who has the longest time period serving that jersey.

 Note: Some appearance counts refer to full Barca careers, not just during their time wearing No. 10 — those are clearly mentioned. Lamine Yamal's stat is updated to July 2025, and he’s expected to take over the iconic No. 10 jersey in the 2025/26 season.

He made sure to record this moment too🤳 pic.twitter.com/C1Cp0MA7lN

Can Lamine Yamal break Lionel Messi record at Barcelona?

Barcelona aren’t taking chances. They’ve tied Yamal down until 2031 with a deal reportedly worth up to €20 million per year.

The buyout clause? A cool €1 billion. Yep, that’s a billion with a “B” — the kind of number you assign to players you don’t want PSG calling about.

On the pitch, he’s already won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa, and the Euros with Spain.

Last season alone, he exploded with 18 goals and 25 assists. Not bad for a guy who used to sneak onto the pitch at Mataró to play with kids twice his size.

But even the best have growing pains. Yamal’s biggest games in 2025 — against Inter in the Champions League semis and Portugal in the Nations League final — ended in defeat. Still, his reaction said everything. No tantrums. No sulking. Just focus.

He’s got that Messi-like calmness and a Ronaldo-like hunger. Dangerous combo, that.

And yes, there’s been off-pitch noise too. A birthday party controversy grabbed headlines, but Yamal brushed it off with the composure of a seasoned pro.

“I work for Barca. When I’m away from the club, I enjoy my life, and that’s it.”

It’s rare to see an 18-year-old navigate fame and scrutiny with this much poise. But perhaps it’s his upbringing, grounded by a no-nonsense father and a fiercely supportive mother and grandmother, that keeps his boots planted firmly on the turf.

Even his celebration — a “304” hand gesture — honors his roots in Rocafonda, where it all began.

So, can Lamine Yamal really break Lionel Messi’s record?

It’s far too early to say. Thirteen years at one club is an eternity in modern football. But if anyone has the talent, mindset, and charisma to get close, it’s this kid.

No, he hasn’t won the Champions League or World Cup — yet. But nobody can argue he wants both.

And more importantly, he’s not chasing ghosts. He’s building his own story. And if history has taught us anything at Barcelona, it’s that legends don’t just follow footsteps — they leave their own.

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