JAKARTA - The puzzle of who will wear the Barcelona number 10 jersey which is identical to Lionel Messi has finally been answered. The sacred number was passed on to Ansu Fati.
Barca are speculated to be retiring the number 10 after Messi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) because the club was unable to extend the legend's contract.
Launching Antara, now the La Liga giants have announced the decision to stick with the number 10 jersey, with Fati having the honor to continue in the footsteps of the Argentine superstar.
"Our new number 10. From La Masia. Ansu Fati," Barcelona wrote in an announcement on the club's official website on Wednesday.
pic.twitter.com/HrcSyBq0Qj
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 1, 2021
Ansu is trusted to carry out the task as No. 10 after starting his career in the Barca senior team promisingly when he made his debut in 2019 from the academy.
The Spain international has made 42 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana, scoring 13 goals and is the youngest goalscorer in their history.
The 18-year-old's development was disrupted by a severe knee injury last November but he is now back in training after nine months in the treatment room.
Fati could return to action when Ronald Koeman's men take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stages after the international break.
Ansu is billed as the most promising young player at the moment, but he still has a lot to do before being considered a world elite.
Messi alone helped Barcelona win 34 trophies during his 21 years at Camp Nou, including 10 La Liga and four Champions Leagues and scored 674 goals which made him the Catalan club's all-time leading goalscorer.
Ansu, meanwhile, has yet to win his first trophy with Barca in the midst of their transition, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Carles Alena and Emerson Royal following in Messi's footsteps to leave the club to reduce the salary burden.
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