FC Barcelona has announced that Lamine Yamal will wear a new shirt number following his promotion to official first-team status ahead of the New season.
The 17-year-old prodigy played nearly every game for Barcelona in the 2023/24 season but had not been officially registered as a first-team player, a significant distinction in Spanish football.
After shining at UEFA Euro 2024 and solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s best players, Yamal’s promotion at the club level was a natural progression. With this new status, he will now wear the number 19 jersey, the same number he donned during UEFA Euro 2024.
Team numbers in Spain are 1-25 and Yamal has so far worn 27. However, going forward the Spain star will wear number 19 – the same he wore for his nation at UEFA Euro 2024.
Barcelona legend Lionel Messi initially broke through from La Masia with the number 30 on his back and changed to 19 after becoming an official member of the first team squad in 2005. He continued to wear the 19 until Ronaldinho left the Camp Nou in 2008. , when the budding superstar moved to 10th.
Other Barcelona players to have worn 19 over the years – with varying success – include Patrick Kluivert when he first moved from AC Milan, Maxwell, Ibrahim Afellay, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Martin Braithwaite, Sergio Aguero and Franck Kessie, to name just a few.
Yamal’s takeover of the shirt also has implications for Vitor Roque, who wore it in the first half of 2024 following his January arrival from Athletico Paranaense. he Brazilian forward has faced challenges in living up to his transfer fee and has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this month.
