Lamine Yamal Honors Lionel Messi Before Inheriting Barcelona's Legendary Jersey

Lamine Yamal expressed his admiration for Lionel Messi, calling him the "greatest player of all time" as he prepares to inherit the Barcelona legend's iconic No. 10 jersey.

Ansu Fati had previously been hailed as Barcelona's heir to Messi, taking on the legendary number in 2021 following the five-time Ballon d'Or champion's departure from Camp Nou to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, persistent injuries prevented Fati from meeting those expectations, and his recent move to Monaco on loan with an option to buy has made the No. 10 shirt available again.

While Yamal has already worn the same number as Messi—No. 19—it has been an open secret at Barcelona that he would take over the No. 10 once he reaches 18 this weekend.

The teenager's humble attitude and mature approach have been fundamental to his early success, and it's evident that the young player understands the magnitude of following in such footsteps.

"In my opinion, Messi is the greatest player of all time," the Barcelona sensation stated during a press conference in China while on a promotional tour with brand partner adidas. "I admired everything about his play, across the entire field, every aspect of his game. It has truly been something beautiful for me to witness."

Without any international competition this summer and Barcelona absent from the FIFA Club World Cup, Yamal should be well-rested and prepared for the start of the 2025–26 campaign.

Barcelona secured a domestic treble in Spain during the previous season, and Real Madrid's extended participation in the Club World Cup, where they reached the semifinals, might give the Catalans an edge when La Liga resumes due to their rivals' limited rest and preparation period.