Barcelona has confirmed that forward Ansu Fati will be wearing the number 10 jersey that Lionel Messi famously wore for 13 years since 2008.
Messi inherited the No 10 shirt from Ronaldinho after his departure in 2008. Over the years, many legendary players have worn the Number 10 jersey. This includes the likes of Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. The shirt has also been worn by football icons such as Michael Laudrup, Hristo Stoichkov, and Romario.
Ansu Fati, one of the most exciting young talents
Fati was born in Guinea Bissau on October 31, 2002, and moved to Seville aged six. He joined the Barcelona youth team aged 10. He made his senior debut in 2019. A week later, he scored his first professional goal against Osasuna, becoming the youngest player (16 years and 298 days) to score in La Liga for the club. After his Barcelona debut in 2019, he was granted Spanish citizenship in September.
Followed by this in September 2019, Fati became the youngest player in the history of La Liga to score and assist in the same match. He scored his first Champions League goal for Barcelona against Inter Milan in December 2019, becoming the competition’s youngest-ever goalscorer. He has made just four appearances for the senior side. The 18-year-old signed a new long-term contract at Barcelona in September last year.
Barcelona’s offical statement on Ansu Fati
In a statement, Barcelona said: “Ansu Fati has a new shirt number. After wearing the number 22 then 17, the young Barça striker will proudly wear the number 10 shirt -a famous jersey previously worn by legends such as Leo Messi, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo.”
“Despite being just 18 years of age and still recovering from injury, Ansu Fati forms part of Barça’s history as a record-breaker and also with the Spanish national side. Since his debut in August 2019, the youngster has set records in the league and Champions League.”
