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Lionel Messi is one of the last vestiges of the true one-club man, having spent his nearly two-decade-long career at Barcelona. After his contract with the Blaugrana ran out this summer, he was widely expected to re-sign with the only club he has ever played for.
However, things didn't pan out that way. Due to La Liga's fair play regulations, Barcelona, who are already in massive debt, needed to jettison several players to be able to accommodate Messi's contract extension. That didn't happen, though, despite Messi reportedly agreeing to take a 50% pay cut. It left Barcelona with no option but to bid a reluctant adieu to their prized asset.
During a 17-season stint with Barcelona, Messi made over 900 goal contributions and scored more than double that of the next most prolific scorer for the club. He also won individual and team honors galore.
With the six-time Ballon d'Or winner all set to play for another club now, it remains to be seen which player dons the Argentine's #10 jersey at Barcelona. Under La Liga's rules, the Blaugrana may not receive permission to decide to retire the number altogether. On that note, here's a look at five Barcelona players, in no particular order, who could inherit the club legend's #10 jersey next season:
#5 Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is one of the most exciting graduates to have emerged from Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in recent years. After making a record-breaking debut for Barcelona in 2019-20, the 18-year-old missed large swathes of last season because of injury.
Fati, the youngest ever player to score in the Champions League, has already scored 13 times and provided five assists. He made a promising start to life under Ronald Koeman last campaign before enduring a season-ending injury that required surgery.
Considering his stellar exploits, which exceeds that of Messi at the same age, Fati could be the new #10 at Barcelona. The Argentine said of the player when Fati first arrived on the scene two years ago:
"I really like him, and I try to help and support him. He's an amazing player and he's got what it takes to succeed. But if I look at it through my eyes, I'd like them to bring him on gradually, like they did with me when I started, taking things nice and easy and without putting pressure on him.
"You have to remember that he's only 16. I hope he keeps on enjoying it and that all the fuss around him doesn't have a negative impact on him because he has the quality to become one of the best."
#4 Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero appears to be one of the more likely successors of Lionel Messi's #10 jersey at Barcelona.
After leaving the Premier League as its most prolific non-English goalscorer, the former Manchester City striker hoped to play alongside his good friend Lionel Messi at Barcelona. Aguero joined the club on a free transfer earlier this summer.
However, with Messi leaving the club, Aguero's wish to play with Messi in club football will remain unfulfilled for a while. But considering his stellar exploits with Manchester City while wearing the #10 jersey, Aguero could don the same number at Barcelona too.
#3 Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay, who arrived at Barcelona this summer on a free transfer, is another contender to inherit Lionel Messi's #10 jersey at the club.
The Dutchman has been a prolific scorer for club and country, netting 76 times for his previous club Lyon and scoring 28 times for the Netherlands, including twice at Euro 2020. He is coming off a productive season for the former Ligue 1 champions, scoring 20 goals and providing 12 assists.
Depay was one of Barcelona's prime targets last summer, but Ronald Koeman failed to land his compatriot. The Dutchman will now be expected to hit the ground running at the Camp Nou and possibly try to fill the gaping hole left behind by Lionel Messi.
#2 Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele has had an injury-plagued stop-start career at Barcelona since arriving at the club on a big-money transfer in the summer of 2017.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was on the cusp of leaving the club for Manchester United last summer, but the move broke down at the last minute. Dembele responded with one of his better seasons in a Barcelona shirt, scoring 11 goals and assisting five during the 2020-21 campaign.
If the Frenchman can stay fit and continue his promising returns this season, he could inherit Lionel Messi's #10 jersey at Barcelona.
#1 Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann, another contender for Lionel Messi's #10 jersey, has had modest returns since his arrival at Barcelona in the summer of 2019.
The Frenchman has managed 35 goals and 17 assists in almost 100 games for his club, but enjoyed a better sophomore campaign last season. Griezmann netted 20 times and assisted on 13 occasions during the 2020-21 campaign. In the process, Griezmann became only the second French player, after Karim Benzema to score 150 goals in the Spanish top flight.
Griezmann was one of several players touted to leave the club this summer to help Barcelona accommodate Lionel Messi's new contract. But with the Argentine now gone, Griezmann, a prolific scorer for Atletico Madrid, could take up more responsibilities and possibly take up Messi's #10 jersey as well.
