BARCELONA wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been handed a new squad number after his Euro 2024 heroics with Spain.
Yamal, 17, will be wearing a shirt number that previously belonged to Barca legend Lionel Messi after he helped the Furia Roja win their fourth European championship.
Messi was handed the No19 shirt when he was cutting his teeth with the Blaugrana in his tender years, just like the Spain international is doing now.
Now Yamal will be donning that kit number starting this coming season with the eyes of the world fixed on him after a stunning campaign for both club and country.
And fans have already started comparing the young forward to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
One fan tweeted: “Following the script.”
Another posted: “Following the foot steps of the GOAT. We know what comes after 19……”
A third commented: “So beautiful.”
This fan said: “Love u lami.”
And that one stated: “Let’s go!”
Messi was handed the No19 shirt during the 2005-06 campaign shortly after he burst onto the scene from Barcelona‘s B team.
The Argentina great went on to wear his signature No10 jersey just three years later.
And the legendary forward went on to become the Catalan giants’ all-time leading goalscorer as he netted a staggering total of 672 goals in 778 appearances.
