Barcelona's 4-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday saw history being made as Lamine Yamal became the youngest footballer ever to play for the Catalan club. We take a look at the number he wore and the numbers of other now-famous former Barcelona youth players.
The 15-year-old forward was brought on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and had a lively cameo, touching the ball 12 times and having one shot on target. Although he did not get an assist, Yamal impressed with his eight attempted passes, including a brilliant chipped ball that found Ousmane Dembele in space on the edge of the six-yard box.
Lamine Yamal Wears No. 41 & Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Football Boots
Yamal wore the No. 41 shirt. It is not known why he chose the No. 41, but it might be related to the previous youngest Barcelona player. The previous record was held by Vicente Martínez, who was 16 years and 280 days old in 1941.
The number 41 could be a tribute to the previous record holder
Mock-up of 23-24 home kit ft. Lamine Yamal
In Spanish La Liga, players in the A-squad (a maximum of 25 players, including a maximum of three goalkeepers) must wear a number between 1–25. Youth players are only allowed to wear a number above 25. In the past, now-famous Barcelona players did also wear uncommonly high numbers on their first team debut?
Lionel Messi wore number 30, while Andres Iniesta wore number 34. Xavi, another club legend, wore the number 16, while Busquets had the number 28.
Barcelona youth product and first-team player Gavi is currently still wearing the number 30, after Barcelona failed to register him as a first-team player.
It remains to be seen when Yamal will become a first-team player and which number he will get then.
Lamine Yamal already has a Nike contract
Lamine Yamal was wearing the latest Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 football boots. He already has a contract with Nike.
What do you think of La Liga's 1-25 number rule? Let us know in the comments below.