FC Barcelona continues to house some of the most talented and special players of the modern game. Not all of them have arrived from other clubs, as many of the club’s best talents are homegrown. However, perhaps Barcelona is best known for and will forever carry on the legacy of having produced the greatest homegrown player in the history of the sport.

Lionel Messi's Legacy

Lionel Messi, the hero for both Argentina and La Blaugrana, is the man who many regard as the greatest player of all time and most certainly the best player in the history of FC Barcelona. For the majority of his time at the Catalan club, the number ‘10’ was solely his property, and for good reason.

The Curse of the '10'

Now synonymous with Messi, the ‘10’ of Barcelona has been more of a curse than a blessing for the player who took on its challenge following the Argentinian star’s departure. Ansu Fati, still the owner of that number, continues to battle another injury that is only the most recent addition to his rather long slate.

Players Rejecting the No. 10

However, according to AS, it would seem that no player wants to take on the burden of that number. Even Lamine Yamal, who many regard as the next big thing at the club, refused to take that number and instead asked for the ‘19’, another number that Messi also used to wear at one point.

Other players such as Pau Cubarsi, Pau Victor, and Pablo Torre, have decided to take on different numbers as well. As it stands, even the stay of Ansu Fati is not guaranteed at Barcelona this summer. Consequently, it becomes clear that the ‘10’ could be left vacant once more with no rightful heir to the legacy of Messi present.

The Future of the Iconic Number

Even Dani Olmo, Barça’s newest acquisition, has decided to go with the number ‘20’ instead. As things stand, the future of the iconic Barcelona number is as unclear as it will ever be. With no one willing to stand up to the challenge and own that number for himself, Barça may be left without a ‘10’ this season as well.