Lamine Yamal joins Barcelona legends Maradona, Messi and Ronaldinho

Dubai: Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal had once brushed aside comparisons with Lionel Messi — but those comparisons are only growing louder now that he has inherited the Catalan club’s iconic No. 10 jersey, once worn by legends like Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and Messi himself.

The 18-year-old winger received the shirt on Wednesday in a symbolic handover by club president Joan Laporta, accompanied by a video on social media captioned: “Our 10.” Yamal, who wore No. 19 last season, was flanked by his family during the presentation and spoke of his desire to honour the legacy while forging his own path.

“All kids dream of being like them,” Yamal said. “They’re legends. I’ll try to follow in their footsteps, but I’ll also try to build my own path.”

Having turned 18 over the weekend, Yamal also formalised a contract extension with Barcelona that runs until 2031 — a statement of long-term faith in a player who’s rapidly become central to the club’s future.

The celebrations, however, have come under scrutiny. Reports that entertainers with dwarfism were hired for Yamal’s private birthday party triggered a backlash, prompting Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights to call for an investigation following a complaint from the Association for People with Achondroplasia and Other Skeletal Dysplasias (ADEE).

When asked about the controversy, Yamal kept it brief: “In the end I work for Barça, but when I’m away from the training center, I enjoy my life. I’m indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don’t come from my family or people close to me.”

His recent rise has inevitably reignited comparisons with Messi — something Yamal had addressed back on April 29, ahead of Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.

“I don’t compare myself to anyone — and much less with Messi,” he had told reporters. “We’re focused on improving every day. The comparisons don’t make sense, especially with someone like Messi. I just want to be myself and enjoy the game.”

Now wearing Messi’s jersey and occupying his old position on the right wing, Yamal may not welcome the comparisons — but they are becoming impossible to ignore.