Lamine Yamal to wear Barcelona's iconic No. 10 jersey next season
'I'll try to build my own path, but all kids would like to be like them,' Yamal said Wednesday at the club's announcement. 'All three have been incredible players, they're legends, and I'll try to follow in their footsteps.'
Having turned 18, Yamal was able to sign the contract extension that he had agreed with Barcelona in May, keeping him in place until 2031.
'My goal is to keep winning and growing,' Yamal said. 'It's the club of my life. It's my home, I've been here since I was 7 years old.'
Yamal wore the No. 19 jersey last season. The No. 10 most recently was with Ansu Fati, who will play on loan with Monaco.
Yamal, accompanied by his family, received the No. 10 jersey from club president Joan Laporta.
Thursdays
Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.
The announcement comes after Yamal was criticized for reportedly hiring people with dwarfism as entertainers during his lavish 18th birthday party last weekend.
Yamal sidestepped the controversy on Wednesday.
'In the end I work for Barça, but when I'm away from the club's training center, I enjoy my life and that's it,' Yamal said. 'I'm indifferent to both criticism and praise if they don't come from my family or people close to me.'
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
British Open at Portrush starts with an Irish cheer. That's how the last one ended
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — The British Open at Royal Portrush started Thursday the way the last one ended: A packed grandstand and throaty cheers for an Irish golfer. Padraig Harrington, a two-time Open champion, hit the opening shot of the 153rd edition of golf's oldest championship with a piercing iron into the wind off the North Atlantic, between pot bunkers on both sides and into the fairway. The Open returns to Royal Portrush after only six years. The final stroke in 2019 was a tap-in par for Shane Lowry of Ireland for his first major title. Harrington was the last to arrive on the first tee, the silver claret jug positioned to the left to remind players what's at stake this year. He raised his cap, appreciating the gesture of the R&A to offer him the opening shot. And then he produced an even louder cheer when he holed a 15-foot birdie putt. It's only a start to the longest day in golf — the first shot was 6:35 a.m. local time. The final group won't finished until around 9:30 p.m. Rory McIlroy is the star attraction in his native Northern Ireland. His major championship season began with him wearing the Masters green jacket with hopes of ending it cradling the claret jug. He was among the late starters on Thursday. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The morning wave featured Scottie Scheffler, the PGA champion and world's No. 1 player for the last two years, and defending Open champion Xander Schauffele, who is trying to become the first player since Harrington (2007-08) to win the Open in consecutive years. This is only the third time Royal Portrush has hosted the Open, the first one coming in 1951 for a club that dates to 1888. The forecast for the week is mixed, a term in these parts that roughly translates to expect just about everything. Harrington led off under streaks of sunshine before the wind ushered in clouds. ___ AP golf:
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Police: Home of Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte burglarized during All-Star break
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police. Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a 'high-dollar residential burglary' that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta. Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occured. Police said the home is 'reportedly' owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor's Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation. Police say the investigation is ongoing. Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL's win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes acoross the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games. The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes. A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Theo Corbeanu's PK helps Toronto beat San Diego 1-0
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Theo Corbeanu scored in the 20th minute, Sean Johnson stopped the only shot he faced and Toronto FC beat San Diego FC 1-0 on Wednesday night in the first-ever meeting between the clubs. Corbeanu drew a foul in the penalty area and converted from the spot to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. Toronto (5-11-6) won for the second time in eight games. San Diego (13-7-3), which had won five six, leads the Western Conference with 42 points, one ahead of Vancouver. Pablo Sisniega made his second consecutive start and had a save for San Diego. CJ Dos Santos hasn't played since the 24-year-old goalkeeper suffered a nose injury in SDFC's 4-3 loss to Houston on July 5. San Diego had 67% possession and outshot Toronto 7-4 but had just one shot on target. ___ AP soccer:
