Everyone assumes that Lamine Yamal will end up wearing the number 10 for Barça, but, for now, Laporta and his board have different plans. He is only 17 years old and is ready to fight for everything, but ithey think that he needs time. They don't want to put the burden of becoming Messi's heir on him and, first, they are betting on a previous step.
The plan at Barça is clear: Lamine Yamal will continue to wear the number 19 for a while longer, or if he wants to change it, at least he won't take the number 10. Laporta has talked about it more than enough and, as soon as Ansu Fati leaves, his number will have a new owner: Raphinha . He has become one of the fans' idols this season and it's considered that he would receive a more than deserved reward.
Joan Laporta's idea is clear and decided. Ansu Fati will leave in the January transfer market and it's most likely that he will not wear the Barça jersey again. While Lamine Yamal continues to grow and evolve, in the meantime, the new '10' will be Raphinha, being one of the players who sells the most jerseys and has the most affection among the culers fans.
Raphinha has also recently inherited the Brazilian number '10' and is considered more than ready to shoulder this weight. If he had been out last summer, he would become one of the captains and, in addition, carry the most historic number at Barcelona. A well-deserved reward, they say at the club, after everything he had to endure a few months ago.
Raphinha is Ready, He Will be the New '10' of Barça: Decided by Joan Laporta
Lamine Yamal will have to wait. At Barça, the decision has already been made and the next '10' will be Raphinha. Joan Laporta is clear about it today and, barring any unexpected surprises, this is what will end up happening.
If Ansu Fati doesn't leave in January, he will do so next summer. Barça have practically given him up for lost and the intention is to get rid of him, keeping the possibility of bringing him back in the future if he ends up exploding abroad. In any case, one thing is clear: his heir to the number will be Raphinha.
Raphinha would therefore leave his current '11' free, which could well be for Lamine Yamal, or for some transfer that could come to Barcelona. Joan Laporta has decided on the plan and there will be no turning back unless there's a surprise.