Lamine Yamal: Spain Star chooses Lionel Messi’s former number as Barcelona registers players for new season

• Lamine Yamal was recently enlisted amongst Barcelona's first-team squad ahead of the new 2024/25 season
• The Spanish youngster, alongside compatriot, Pau Cubarsi, was promoted to the first team set up by the Catalan club
• A report detailing the jersey number the fleet-footed forward has opted for following his promotion has recently surfaced

Barcelona has officially registered Lamine Yamal as a first-team player for the upcoming season after his exceptional performance in the 2023/24 campaign.

The young forward, who captivated fans and opponents alike, continued to impress with his outstanding play at the recent UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.

However, as is synonymous with La Liga clubs, registration in the first-team comes with a switch in number.

Lamine Yamal looks on during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2024. Image: Mateo Villalba.
Source: Getty Images

This is primarily due to La Liga rules, as reported by Goal, that allow first-team players to wear numbers only between 1 and 25.

Nonetheless, Yamal opted for a surprise number previously worn by club icon Lionel Messi.

Yamal picks Messi's jersey number

According to a report from Catalan outlet, Jijantes, Yamal chose the number 19 jersey, a shirt previously worn by Messi during his early years at Barcelona.

There were suggestions that the youngster would opt for the number 10 shirt or the number 27 recently made available by Marcos Alonso's departure. However, Yamal surprisingly selected the number 19 jersey.

A series of notable players have previously donned the number 19 shirt, including Messi, Franck Kessie, Fernando Torres, Sergio Agüero, and most recently, Vitor Roque.

Yamal is expected to feature more prominently for Barcelona in the upcoming season under the leadership of new manager Hansi Flick.

According to data from FotMob, the young forward has recorded 14 goal involvements in his 51 appearances for the La Liga powerhouse so far.

Yamal wins Young Player of The Tournament

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Yamal was deservedly voted the Young Player of the Tournament award after helping Spain secure the 2024 European Championship crown on Sunday, July 14.

The teenage prodigy, who turned 17 just a day before the final at the Olympiastadion, capped his stellar Euros performance with an assist in Spain's 2-1 victory over England.

Yamal had broken numerous records in the competition, including being the youngest-ever player to feature at the Euros and the youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition’s history.

Source: TUKO.co.ke