Lamine Yamal stands alongside Messi in Barcelona’s legendary lineup

At the beginning of 2026, Barcelona’s official site announced the top 25 players of the club, categorized by their shirt numbers. Despite having just three seasons with Barca, Lamine Yamal made the list, joining legends such as Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi.

When FC Barcelona officially unveiled the squad of the 25 best players of the club during the first quarter of the 21st century, fans immediately engaged in passionate debates. This list was chosen through voting on the club’s official app, featuring the most outstanding names from 2000 to 2025, arranged by jersey numbers from 1 to 25. As expected, the lineup blends immortal legends, icons of the golden era, and a few representatives of the future.

Constructing the team by jersey number inadvertently intensified the competition like never before. Many legends who once shone at Camp Nou, such as Ronaldinho, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Enrique, were even left out. Notably, six players from the 2025/26 season squad appeared on this list, highlighting the enduring vitality of the current generation within the club’s history.

Additionally, La Masia continues to prove its status as a “gold mine” of world football by contributing numerous famous names like Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Leo Messi, and Sergi Roberto. These players not only carry Barça’s DNA but also form the foundation for one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, marked by an impressive collection of titles.

However, amid a group of time-tested stars, the inclusion of Lamine Yamal was truly surprising. At such a young age, Yamal stands shoulder to shoulder with legends and was chosen by fans as part of Barça’s iconic lineup for the first 25 years of the 21st century—a remarkable feat considering his humble beginnings only a few seasons ago.

The presence of Lamine Yamal is not merely a “future” choicebut reflects the strong confidence culés have in this exceptional talent. When placed alongside Messi, Iniesta, and Puyol in the same historic list, Yamal is no longer just a promising prodigy but is seen as a new emerging icon. In him, people see confidence, boldness, and a fearless spirit—qualities that have shaped Barcelona’s DNA.

Not only Yamal, this list also features young talents like Fermín López and Joan Garcia, representing the new generation gradually inheriting the club’s great legacy. Clearly, Lamine Yamal’s inclusion in such a historic lineup is a firm affirmation that Barça has found its next precious gem.