Ansu Fati has been handed the huge responsibility of succeeding Lionel Messi as the new No 10 at Barcelona.
Before now, there had been some suggestions that teenage midfielder Pedri could be handed the iconic jersey number. But in a video released on social media on Wednesday, September 1, Fati, who previously wore the No 22 shirt, was presented with his new shirt number for the 2021-22 season.
Messi’s shirt number has been vacant in the Barcelona squad since the six-time Ballon d’Or winner saw his contract expire. He has since joined Paris Saint-Germain in France.
In a statement on Barcelona’s website they detailed how ‘record breaker’ Fati is the perfect player to be tasked with filling the huge void left by Messi.
Ansu Fati has a new shirt number. After wearing the No 22 then No 17, the young Barca striker will proudly wear the number 10 shirt – a famous jersey previously worn by legends such as Leo Messi, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo,’ the statement read.
‘Despite being just 18 years of age and still recovering from injury, Ansu Fati forms part of Barca’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.
‘Just six days after his debut for the first team he became the youngest ever player to score in the league for FC Barcelona. He is a record breaker who will now wear the magical No 10 shirt.’
Barcelona has rich history with the No 10 shirt having seen Diego Maradona, Pep Guardiola, Romario, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho all wear it during spells at the Nou Camp
Fati is currently recovering from injury and is easing his way back in having spent nine months on the sidelines. He sustained a serious knee injury in a match against Real Betis back in November 2020.
