Why Barcelona Can’t Retire the No. 10 Jersey: La Liga Rules Unveiled
The prospect of finding a player who could match Lionel Messi’s legendary status in the iconic No. 10 jersey at Barcelona seems like an insurmountable challenge. While many clubs around the world might consider retiring such a symbolic number, Barcelona faces a unique hurdle in doing so, and it’s all tied to La Liga regulations.
In an ideal scenario, retiring the No. 10 jersey would relieve future players from the immense pressure of filling Messi’s boots, as exemplified by Ansu Fati’s admirable but challenging attempt. However, La Liga mandates that players in the senior team of all clubs must wear jerseys numbered between 1 and 25. This restriction stems from the league’s framework, which allows each club to register a maximum of 25 players in their squad, inclusive of three goalkeepers. Notably, goalkeepers are limited to wearing shirts numbered 1, 13, and 25.
The article sheds light on the intricacies of La Liga rules, revealing that if Barcelona were to add an academy player to the senior team mid-season, they would have the flexibility to assign any number between 26 and 50, excluding the coveted No. 10. This insight clarifies the constraints that prevent Barcelona from officially retiring Messi’s iconic jersey and highlights the nuances of squad numbering in Spanish football.
