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Barcelona are reportedly set to hand club icon and record scorer Lionel Messi's No. 10 jersey to new signing Victor Roque, who's planning to arrive in January.
Since Messi, 36, left the Camp Nou in the summer of 2021 on a free transfer, the iconic jersey was worn by Ansu Fati. However, Fati never lived up to expectations amid a loss of form and injuries. The 20-year-old is now on loan at Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion, whom he joined this summer.
Messi's no. 10 is now set to be worn by Roque, 18, as per El Nacional. Roque has impressed at Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense, with the centre-forward bagging 27 goals and 11 assists in 78 games across competitions. However, Roque is recovering from an ankle ligament injury at the moment.
The teenager was snapped up by Barca this summer in a deal worth €40 but is set to arrive at the club in 2024. Roque's agent, Andre Cury, has said (as per El Nacional) that his client is set to arrive at the Camp Nou in January.
Barca sporting director Deco is set to meet Roque in Brazil and convey to him the club's intention to register him in January. The teenager could be a worthy heir of Messi's iconic No. 10 jersey that has been lying empty since the summer.
How has Barcelona icon Lionel Messi fared this season?
Lionel Messi, a bonafide Barcelona legend, has hit the ground running at Inter Miami, whom he joined this summer on a free transfer after a two-season stint at Paris Saint-Germain.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has 11 goals and five assists in 13 games across competitions for the MLS side. That includes 10 goals and an assist in seven games in their victorious Leagues Cup campaign, Miami's first-ever trophy.
However, Messi failed to inspire the Herons to an unlikely spot in the MLS postseason, bagging only one goal and two assists in five games. The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner played only 72 minutes in his last seven league outings - missing five games due to injury.
The Barcelona legend is currently on international duty with Argentina, who take on Peru in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier on October 17. La Albiceleste have made a perfect start to their qualifying campaign, winning all three games.
