Barcelona legend Ronaldinho has publicly praised Lamine Yamal, stating the young forward is effectively “taking care” of the club’s iconic No.10 shirt. This jersey, famously worn by Ronaldinho himself and then by Lionel Messi, carries immense weight. The Brazilian maestro’s rare seal of approval, reportedly given during an interview in Miami with Argentine outlet Olé, positions Yamal as a potential heir to the club’s attacking dynasty.
Reports about the conversation surfaced around early 2026. Ronaldinho didn’t hesitate, saying “Without doubt… It is well taken care of.” He pointed to Yamal’s early professional achievements, quite impressive for his age. This isn’t just a casual compliment; it’s a passing of the torch from someone who knows the pressure of that shirt better than most.
The Weight of the Barcelona No.10
The Barcelona No.10 shirt isn’t just a number; it symbolizes creative genius. Ronaldinho wore it from 2003 to 2008, winning two La Ligas and a Champions League. He then passed it to a 20-year-old Messi in 2008. Messi then made it legendary, scoring 672 goals and securing ten La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues before leaving in 2021.
And now, Lamine Yamal, a product of La Masia, inherited it in summer 2024 at just 17. This was a departure from tradition, especially with Messi moving to Inter Miami. Barcelona’s push for youth under Hansi Flick made it happen. The shirt has been a bit of a “cursed blessing” for some post-Ronaldinho/Messi wearers, like Rafinha in 2021-22, who struggled. But Yamal seems to be bucking that trend.
Ronaldinho’s endorsement is a big deal because he mentored a young Messi. It’s a rare validation for an 18-year-old’s rapid rise. And it definitely strengthens Yamal’s mental resilience against all that “next Messi” pressure, which is a lot for any player. This also helps Barcelona market Yamal, potentially boosting jersey sales as they recover financially.
Yamal’s Explosive Rise and Stats
Yamal’s stats back up all the praise. He debuted in 2023 and starred in Euro 2024, becoming the youngest player ever at 16. For the 2025-26 season, he already boasts 12 goals and 15 assists in 25 La Liga and Champions League games. Overall, he has over 50 senior appearances by 18, with 25 goals.
His creativity is apparently ahead of Messi’s debut season. Yamal averages 3.5 dribbles completed per game compared to Messi’s 2.8 at a similar stage. Ronaldinho, at the same age (2003-04 season), had 10 goals. Yamal matches that output, even with a deeper squad. It shows his impact.
Here’s a look at the Barcelona No.10 legacy:
| Player | Tenure | Goals | Assists | Major Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronaldinho | 2003-08 | 94 | 71 | 2 La Liga, 1 UCL |
| Messi | 2008-21 | 672 | 303 | 10 La Liga, 4 UCL |
| Yamal (proj) | 2024- | 50+ | 40+ | 1 La Liga (2025) |
These are projections for Yamal up to 2026, based on his current trajectory. But you can see he’s keeping pace with giants.
Future Impact and Fan Excitement
Ronaldinho sees the bigger picture, too. He called Yamal “one of the best in the world… very young he already [does] incredible things,” stressing his technical prowess and how he handles pressure. Analysts from The Athletic have even called Yamal “Messi 2.0” for his left-wing flair. Former coaches like Hansi Flick also praise Yamal’s maturity.
Experts are predicting Yamal could contend for the Ballon d’Or by 2028 if Barcelona wins the Champions League. Ronaldinho also believes Barcelona is set to be “of the teams [in contention]” for major honors. This positive inflection point comes with real pressure, though. Past No.10s have sometimes faltered without this kind of support.
Barcelona fans, on social media platforms, are ecstatic. They see this as validation for Messi’s successor. It’s gone viral, with memes creating a clear Ronaldinho-Messi-Yamal lineage. This endorsement will probably boost Yamal’s profile even more, especially with upcoming 2025-26 fixtures. It’s a huge morale boost in the title race, and it helps Barcelona retain talent against interest from clubs like Real Madrid or PSG.
But the club hasn’t made an official response yet, and Messi has remained silent. That’s not surprising. The long-term ramifications position Yamal as a franchise face. But it also carries a risk of burnout if those expectations aren’t met. However, Ronaldinho’s nod might just attract more endorsements and partnerships for the young star. For Ronaldinho, it just reinforces his legacy as a mentor, a role he played so well for Messi back in the day.
