15-year-old Barcelona Wonderkid Lamine Yamal Makes Debut Wearing No. 41 - Here Are the First Numbers of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi & Co
May 1, 2023, by Chris
Barcelona's 4-0 win over Real Betis on Saturday saw history being made as Lamine Yamal became the youngest footballer ever to play for the Catalan club. We take a look at the number he wore and the numbers of other now-famous former Barcelona youth players.
The 15-year-old forward was brought on as a substitute in the 83rd minute and had a lively cameo, touching the ball 12 times and having one shot on target. Although he did not get an assist, Yamal impressed with his eight attempted passes, including a brilliant chipped ball that found Ousmane Dembele in space on the edge of the six-yard box.
Lamine Yamal Wears No. 41 & Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 Football Boots
Yamal wore the No. 41 shirt. It is not known why he chose the No. 41, but it might be related to the previous youngest Barcelona player. The previous record was held by Vicente Martínez, who was 16 years and 280 days old in 1941.
The number 41 could be a tribute to the previous record holder
Mock-up of 23-24 home kit ft. Lamine Yamal
In Spanish La Liga, players in the A-squad (a maximum of 25 players, including a maximum of three goalkeepers) must wear a number between 1–25. Youth players are only allowed to wear a number above 25. In the past, now-famous Barcelona players did also wear uncommonly high numbers on their first team debut?
Lionel Messi wore number 30, while Andres Iniesta wore number 34. Xavi, another club legend, wore the number 16, while Busquets had the number 28.
Barcelona youth product and first-team player Gavi is currently still wearing the number 30, after Barcelona failed to register him as a first-team player.
It remains to be seen when Yamal will become a first-team player and which number he will get then.
Lamine Yamal already has a Nike contract
Lamine Yamal was wearing the latest Nike Mercurial Vapor 15 football boots. He already has a contract with Nike.
What do you think of La Liga's 1-25 number rule? Let us know in the comments below.
Viking FK 26-27 European Home and Away Kits Released
Norwegian club Viking FK have officially unveiled their new 2026-27 European home and away kits. Made by Diadora, the special shirts have been created for the club's UEFA Champions League campaign, marking Viking's return to the competition for the first time since 1992-93.
The Diadora Viking FK 2026-27 European home shirt features a dark navy base with vibrant pink detailing on the collar, sleeve cuffs, Diadora logo and sponsor branding. The chest displays an oak tree motif taken directly from the club's original crest.
The Viking FK 2026-27 European away shirt comes with a white base and thin vertical pinstripes, complemented by dark navy detailing on the collar and sleeve cuffs. The same oak tree emblem as the European home version appears on the chest.
What do you think of the new Viking FK 2026-27 European home and away kits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Gwangju FC 2026 Third Kit Released
Following the introduction of home and away kits in February, Gwangju FC have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026 season, completing the full kit set from GOALSTUDIO.
The new design uses an eye-catching halftone marble graphic, with a slight shade of yellow gradient upon a full black base. The front collar, sleeve cuffs and sleeve seams are all white, matching with the club crest and brand logo. The third goalkeeper kit also shares the identical design, featuring light purple with a fading turquoise shade.
What do you think about the new GOALSTUDIO Gwangju FC third kit? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Mantova 1911 26-27 Away Kit Released
Italian club Mantova 1911 and Adidas have officially unveiled the club's new away shirt for the 26-27 season. The new kit introduces a refined design that will be worn throughout their upcoming campaign.
The Adidas Mantova 1911 26-27 away jersey is predominantly red, featuring a classic polo collar with white contrast detailing. White accents are applied to the collar trim, sleeve cuffs, and the Adidas logo on the right chest, offering a clean contrast against the base color. The club crest sits prominently on the left chest, accompanied by sponsor logos across the front.
Red shorts and red socks complete the full kit. Mantova's new away uniform has already debuted on the pitch during pre-season action and is available via official club outlets.
FC Barcelona 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - Long-Sleeve Version
Official studio images of the long-sleeve version of FC Barcelona's 26-27 third kit have surfaced online via Barca shirt collector @memorabilia1899, giving fans a complete look at the retro-inspired shirt ahead of its upcoming official presentation.
Designed by Nike, the FC Barcelona 26-27 third shirt pays homage to the classic 1996-97 Kappa away kit. It features a light teal base with a distinctive vertical zigzag split down the center. Navy accents appear on the collar and cuffs, complemented by subtle red piping along the shoulder seams. The design is completed with a traditional full-color Barcelona crest, a navy Spotify sponsor emblem, and a pink Nike Swoosh.
Xerez Deportivo 26-27 Away Kit Released
Spanish club Xerez Deportivo FC has officially unveiled its new away kit for the 26-27 season, made by technical sponsor Macron. The new design introduces a refined and elegant color scheme for the team's upcoming campaign.
The Macron Xerez Deportivo 26-27 away shirt features a deep maroon base, complemented by golden accents throughout. A monochrome version of the club crest, along with the Macron logo and front sponsors, are all applied in matching gold. The shirt is framed by gold and cream trim along the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while a subtle tonal pattern adorns the front panel to add texture to the overall aesthetic.
Maroon shorts and socks with gold detailing complete the new Xerez DFC 26-27 away strip.
Al-Ittihad 26-27 Away Kit Released
Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad and Nike have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. Following the reveal of their home strip last month, the new away uniform introduces a refined design deeply rooted in local culture and heritage.
The Nike Al-Ittihad 26-27 away jersey features a light grey base paired with contrasting black trim on the collar, sleeve cuffs, and side panels. A subtle tonal pattern flows across the body, taking inspiration from traditional Arabic calligraphy and the historic architecture of Jeddah's Al-Balad district. Gold accents complete the look, highlighting the Nike Swoosh and the framing around the club crest. The strip is complemented by black sponsor branding, including Al Balad Development Co across the chest.
The new Al-Ittihad 26-27 away kit is now available through official club outlets and select retail stores.