Barcelona have reportedly come to the decision to hand Lamine Yamal the legendary number 10 shirt from next season, in addition to a new contract.
Yamal is finishing the season in sensational form, scoring a phenomenal goal that aided their title-clinching success against Espanyol last week, during a spree of man-of-the-match performances.
The 17-year-old was unplayable in their Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan too, but that was not enough to overcome the Italian giants, denying Barca the opportunity to win an unprecedented quadruple.
According to FlashScore's ratings system, Yamal has been Man of the Match in six of Barca's previous seven matches, including in both legs against Inter, as well as the Copa del Rey final win against Real Madrid.
Yamal has racked up 20 assists on top of his 18 goals this season and Barca look set to do everything in their power to ensure he stays at the club for the long term.
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Yamal to replicate club legends
Barcelona source memorabilia1899.co on X claims that the club will hand Yamal a new bumper contract, which includes a huge release clause, and the honour of donning the famous number 10 shirt.
The report claims that no matter what happens with Ansu Fati in his future, the decision has been made that Yamal will wear number 10 for the 2025-26 season, joining an illustrious list that includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Rivaldo, Gheorghe Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov and Diego Maradona.
Yamal turns 18 in mid-July, and once he hits that milestone, Barca will seek to get a deal signed that will tie the youngster down to new long-term deal, including a release clause of €1bn (£840m).
Barca hope it will mark the beginning of a new era of dominance, following the exciting first season under Hansi Flick, that almost saw the club complete a clean sweep of all four major trophies available.
Off-field benefits are also expected, with shirt sales and revenue expected to skyrocket, with supporters rushing out to buy their Barca shirts with 'Yamal 10' on the back, while the release clause should fend off any potential suitors who could turn their player's head.
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What would this mean for Ansu Fati?
Many would assume that handing Yamal the number 10 would mean the end of the road at the club for its current owner Fati, who has struggled since being handed the honour in 2021, after Lionel Messi's move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Fati's only starts in 2025 have come in the league against Mallorca and Valladolid, with both ending in early substitutions for the 22-year-old, and there appears to be no way back into the starting XI for the player, especially with Raphinha is lightning form on the opposite flank.
Former manager Xavi had little faith in the player, sending him out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion last season, but Fati was unable to turn on the style in English football either.
Injury has certainly not helped the young winger in his development, who had his 2021-22 season cut short after a fine start, and setbacks have hampered him again this season, with just six La Liga appearances to his name.
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Andrew Delaney
