'He deserves it' - Barcelona legend joins Messi in writing to Lamine Yamal

Barcelona legend Rivaldo has backed Lamine Yamal as he prepares to inherit Barcelona’s iconic No.10 shirt at Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s legendary No.10 jersey has been worn by football icons such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and Rivaldo himself.

Though no official confirmation has yet come from the club, multiple reports indicate that the shirt change will coincide with Yamal turning 18.

Yamal, currently wearing the No.19 shirt, debuted with the No.41, later moved to No.27, and quickly became one of the most exciting young prospects in global football.

His path to the No.10 was cleared following Ansu Fati’s loan move to AS Monaco, vacating the shirt he held since Messi’s departure to PSG in 2021.

Speaking as a Betfair ambassador, Brazilian legend Rivaldo, who wore the No.10 shirt at Barça between 1997 and 2002 offered a glowing endorsement of Yamal’s readiness to shoulder the responsibility that comes with the number.

“Barça's number 10 shirt is in very good shape. I think he deserves it, because this number demands a lot of responsibility, but he has a lot of personality,” Rivaldo said.

Rivaldo highlighted Yamal’s mental strength and composure, which he says far exceed the expectations of a player his age.

“I don't think it's going to be a problem for him, because he plays with incredible calmness and doesn't seem to be the age he is when you see him on the pitch. Yamal has the personality that is expected of a 25 or 26-year-old player,” the former Ballon d’Or winner added.

This follows after Messi wrote to Yamal as the 17-year-old prepares to inherit his iconic jersey.

Barcelona is set to launch their new 2025–26 home kit, and aligning the shirt reveal with Yamal’s promotion to the No.10 is part of a larger commercial and branding strategy.

The club is positioning the young winger as the new global face of the Blaugrana, a successor not only to the shirt but to the legacy Messi left behind.