Lamine Yamal to Sign New Barcelona Deal and Get Messi’s Famous Number 10 Shirt After Birthday Party Controversy
Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage football star, is set to sign a new long-term contract and receive the club’s famous number 10 jersey — once worn by Lionel Messi — just days after his 18th birthday party caused public backlash.
New Contract and Legendary Shirt
Yamal is expected to sign his new deal within 24 hours, which will keep him at Barcelona until 2031. The club also plans to give him the number 10 shirt, previously worn by Messi and Ansu Fati.
Despite being only 18, Yamal is already seen as Barcelona’s most important player and a key figure for the future. He is set to become the third-highest paid player at the club, behind Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski.
Controversy Over Birthday Party
His contract news comes right after controversy over his private 18th birthday party. The party had a mafia theme and featured entertainers with dwarfism, which upset many people.
A Spanish disability rights group, ADEE, criticized the event, calling it “humiliating” and saying they may take legal action.
Photos and videos from the party quickly spread online. One of the performers later defended the event, saying, “We are entertainers. No one disrespected us.”
Mixed Reactions, But Club Stands by Him
The party has sparked a lot of debate and brought unwanted attention to Yamal during what should have been a happy week. But Barcelona is standing by him, and they believe he’s mature enough to handle both the spotlight and the responsibility that comes with wearing the number 10.
The club remains confident in Yamal’s future and plans to make his new contract and jersey number official very soon.
