Barcelona have handed Ansu Fati the No. 10 shirt which was recently worn by former captain Lionel Messi.
The shirt became vacant after Messi left the club to continue his career with Paris St-Germain.
A short clip shared by Barcelona on Twitter shows Ansu Fati wearing the shirt. It was captioned, “Our new number ten Made in La Masia @ANSUFATI.”
However, fans on Twitter expressed displeasure at the club’s decision to hand the 18-year-old the shirt so soon.
One @andrespoli1988 said, “Even Messi never took this no. So early… He waited for years… 30 then 19… and then finally 10./. giving him that jersey so soon feels like a disrespect to Leo.”
According to @ezrandez, “Should have retired the no 10 IMO.”
@akcaqil said, “Messi is the best ever to wear it and Fati can’t be Messi!”
“Why would you put so much responsibility on him, man? No,” said @Divine_Curry.
@Toast_TheGist said, “No disrespect to Fati but that’s too big of a jump for him. Why are we so quick to look for the next Messi let the boy earn the shirt. Making it look like jersey 10 is something we can just toss around. Barcelona is in shambles am afraid IDK what institution this is anymore.”