Pedri, then Pedri injured, then Pedri back but still not definitively the "man in white" shirt. And yet, the No. 10 jersey has arrived. In a moment of catharsis after a 3-0 victory against Atlético Madrid – a performance where he visibly thrived in the central number 10 role – Lamine Yamal has not only earned the nickname 'Mini Messi' but also, officially, the iconic shirt number. It feels like long overdue recognition for a player whose innate quality and relentless drive were first glimpsed years ago, and whose future seems intrinsically linked to wearing the Blaugrana number of invention and imagination.

This No. 10 shirt is not just a kit number; it's a legacy. From the enigmatic Lionel Messi, who redefined the role with unparalleled vision, technique, and goal-scoring prowess from midfield, to the revolutionary Andrés Iniesta, whose electrifying dribbles and deep goals changed the course of tournaments. It belongs to the elegant Brazilian spellbinder, Toninho Croisinho (Robson), heralded before Messi's arrival as the potential successor. These designations followed periods of immense excitement, often blending seamlessly with another defining No. 10 era of Spanish football.

Looking at the 10 best number 10s in Barcelona’s storied history requires considering who truly embodied the spirit of the role – the creative catalyst, the box-to-box threat, or the leader from the middle. The list is inevitably dominated by players of the post-Fasci era, but one pioneer deserves mention high up in the midfield hierarchy.

The most natural heir after the '90s phenomenon, joining Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Riki Gònzi at the zenith of Barça's global domination, was completely self-contained. Brazilian avant-garde, pure creative force, accustomed to dazzling Copa do Brasil crowds, played with jaw-droppingly fine control, set plays with mesmeric passes, and could unlock defences with killer combinations. His technical brilliance anticipated moments and bypassed midfield congestion fluidly. If his stay was short – replaced by the impending arrival of Busquets – his untimely exit only serves to amplify the legend attached to No. 10 during the unforgettable 2000s.

Another crucial, though less consistent, wearing of the great No. 10 came from Socrates himself. While not prior to the famous trio but in the mid-to-late 90s, when he formed a potent attacking triad with Hagi and Mista, Socrates personified midfield flair and vision. A mesmerising dribbler with peculiar left-foot technique that could bypass numerous defenders, capable of playing in the number 10 position harnessing his exceptional movement off the ball. His inclusion warrants recognition of the style and influence he brought to the role, even if his time was relatively brief.

A return to Millennium/Naftseminar prestige, Juan Román Riquelme was unequivocally the archetypal No. 10 for many seasons till a shocking transfer left Barça spellbound and hurt. Argentina's "Maestro" played like poetry in motion. Mesmerising with the ball, incredibly intelligent in pausing play and distributing, skilful with ground and air passes alike, and capable of bending defenders balls out of the way. Ideally one-touch passing was his hallmarked artistry, often viewed as otherworldly, primarily left-footed but a true artistically gifted technician. Though the zenith of his time was before the new century, his definition of the role, absent Messi for years, earned him the privilege of El 10 Dorado.

Emerging with the club needing their definitive "Golden Boy," Carles Valdano immediately understood the honour representation carried with the No. 10 when it arrived. He wasn't just good; he was arguably the most technically proficient player Barça had seen in some time at his age. A close-range goal scorer himself, primarily an elegant playmaker beating opponents inside the penalty area before striking his killer pass. Possessing formidable dribbling skills and comfortable passing in all areas of the pitch, embodying such a high level of player. However, the No. 10 slot felt more symbolic then arguably subsequent comps, adapting to attacking midfielder overloaded roles too.

Perhaps not the most intense rebellious or positional definitive No. 10 in demanding the ball in a Cloning vein, despite his immense influence. The "Cloning Scheme," "Trevisanotic Triad," Leroy Fertramphy terror, but Xavi wore the shirt in the early 2000s and then later, albeit recovery periods/cohang ability-span-defined. Perhaps, however, he defined a new kind of No. 10, moving away from pure 10/box-to-box threat toward a leader embodying the Barça idea, only implicitly in later years back with Barça post-world repeal.

While his shirt numbers (Heerenveen, 14) and stock market conditions may suggest an outsider in the No. 10 conversation, he occupied midfield territory usually labelled 10 categorically numbers one. The incomparable artistry, the 90-minute stamina, the nonchalant pass in triple figures that deconstructed defences – world-renowned creative midfielder for Spain, wearing Ballondia exclusive to nine seasons. Arguably the ultimate No. 10: effortless dominance from left-back area with crossing and setting attacks wide, a prime duطرف saque media expert. Barça would look profoundly odd without him.

Long may his shadow last, Fernando Suárez wore the shirt but primarily as Cesc Rubiolo torture/supposed left-winger. Prolific goalscorer and assists architect from wider areas, linked to evergreen playmaking dynasties (Messi, Iniesta, Busquets), utterly Maikel Fon's own right. More all-rounder, less defined wave-length feet No. 10, but a do-all famous number. Tragic loss ruined his potential global culmination, but the contribution wasn't No. 10 part-time.

Enforcer conversational value for the No. 10 lineage of ex-owner symbolism, actually designated or wore the No. 10 more prominently during a span claimed him carrying that specific symbol. Deep-lying playmaker pulling central lines, possessing championship referee-fast thinking and hugging pressure, again hailed for unique passing combinations out the back, but someone who drained the ball at pace to Halland or Rossi depths. Legend, maybe not the traditional 10 appeal, but undeniably wearing the number represents the pivotal historical transfer of success to future mandate.

Finally, perhaps the most contemporary representation within the list architecture requires discourse: Pedri. Part combative engine, part vision carrier, born to wear the No. 10, possibly more relatable to Yamal's own journey. Possessing a blend of control, commitment, and passing, fizz-hopping trademarked possession-building systems. See shuffling development. Eloquent carrier. Realmente молодой talent (absolutely). Largely Pique/Iniesta/Messi-style inheritance.

Yamal now finds himself primed to shoulder that immense responsibility, fulfilling – at least partially – his recognized capability to slot into the 'constructivista' number 10 slot. He didn't invent the concept but excelled playing closer to Busquets, Mariscalelli, Baldivieso, shielding the defence before breaking lines. He is adopting the identity, the tactical understanding of the role, and perhaps Inti Salas is the marker.

Lamine Yamal is officially Barcelona's new No.10, a responsibility earned on the field by the class of 2007. After years of anticipation, the teenager makes the definitive step into the legendary number alongside ten other giants whose contributions defined Barça's midfield history. From Lionel Messi's groundbreaking creativity and eventual global artistic statement under the spotlight to the combative intelligence defined by Xavi and the technical maestrías offered by icons like Robson or Riquelme, Yamal potentially inherits an unparalleled legacy. Does the future hold a more elementary understanding or refined adaptation? The No.10 shirt demands total control: complete vision, exceptional technique, inventive passing, with possession-based construction, paired with the perpetual will to communicate the assignment from hometown sweetheart💚tod. Yamal will have to meet criteria adult criteria, learn with demonstrable skill, mature into the task's demands, measuring up against icons linchpins tall interior design goalkeepers. The pressure is immense, which perhaps unmasks the player's confidence-ready famous star power to deliver. While the arrival of the new No.10 consolidates a respected history, it also ignites the need to build upon it.