Joan Laporta has received an important warning from one of FC Barcelona's most influential commercial partners. Nike, the sports brand that sponsors the blaugrana team, has made a direct request that directly affects one of the players. He was once considered the great heir to Leo Messi, the demand, although simple in logistical terms, represents a headache for Laporta.
The protagonist of this story is none other than Ansu Fati, the Spanish forward, has seen his future at Camp Nou gradually fade away. Injuries, lack of consistency, and stalled progress have caused him to lose the leading role he once had. However, despite his secondary role, he still holds the club's most high-profile and symbolic number: number 10.
It is precisely that number that has set off alarms in Barça's offices, Nike has pressured the Catalan board to free up the number 10 as soon as possible. The reason is clear: to capitalize on the commercial and advertising value that number implies, a key tool for global marketing campaigns. The problem is that Ansu is still the owner of the number, even though he doesn't get minutes with Hansi Flick and his role is increasingly secondary.
A Tough but Inevitable Decision at Camp Nou
Laporta is caught between a rock and a hard place, on a personal level, he feels a strong attachment to Ansu Fati. He has always seen him as a symbol of the future project and the youth academy, but modern soccer, especially at a club like Barcelona, doesn't allow for sentimental decisions. Especially when there are so many millions of euros at stake, the American brand has been clear: if Barça wants to continue having their full support, they must act soon.
The demand is to free up the number 10 and, if possible, seek a definitive exit for Ansu. The footballer hasn't managed to regain his best form in England, and his return to Barça is not in the technical staff's plans. At an institutional level, his figure no longer represents what it once did, and now his presence is more of a burden than a hope.
The Number 10 Already Has a New Heir
If Ansu Fati doesn't find a destination this summer, FC Barcelona will act unilaterally. Although ideally, the player would leave the club, the decision is made: he will be stripped of the number 10. It is a measure that Laporta himself has tried to delay, but it is inevitable given the commercial and sporting pressure.
On the blaugrana horizon, the new bearer of the iconic number is already emerging. It is the brightest jewel coming from La Masia, the player who has already captured the world's attention with his precocious talent and boldness. The decision, although risky, responds to the desire to project a new era under a fresh, young face capable of taking on the media spotlight.
Lamine Yamal is the one chosen by the board and by Nike to wear the number 10, his impact on the first team and his charisma make him the natural successor. Barça wants the new '10' to be the protagonist of campaigns, covers, and jerseys. And for that, the past needs to make way for the present.