Who Is the Number 11 in Barcelona?

By Anna Duncan

Barcelona Football Club is one of the most iconic football clubs in the world. The club has a rich history of producing world-class players who have gone on to become legends in the sport.

Every position on the field is crucial for any team’s success, but some numbers hold a special significance in football. One such number is 11, which is associated with some of Barcelona’s greatest ever players. In this article, we will take a closer look at who wore the number 11 shirt for Barcelona.

The Early Years

In the early years of Barcelona, the number 11 shirt was not as significant as it is today. Back then, players wore shirts numbered from 1 to 11 based on their position on the field. This meant that there was no specific player assigned to wear the number 11 shirt.

The Arrival of Romario

It wasn’t until the arrival of Romario in 1993 that the number 11 shirt gained its special status at Barcelona. The Brazilian striker was assigned the number 11 shirt and went on to have a successful two-year spell at the club. He helped Barcelona win their first European Cup in 1992 and also won two La Liga titles during his time at Camp Nou.

Rivaldo Takes Over

After Romario left Barcelona in 1995, Rivaldo took over as the new owner of the number 11 shirt. The Brazilian midfielder had a successful six-year spell at Camp Nou, winning two La Liga titles and one European Cup. Rivaldo was known for his spectacular goalscoring abilities and his ability to create chances out of nothing.

Messi’s Rise to Fame

In 2004, a young Argentine named Lionel Messi joined Barcelona’s youth academy. It wasn’t until three years later that he made his first-team debut, wearing the number 30 shirt.

However, it wasn’t long before Messi took over the number 11 shirt from Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden. Since then, Messi has become one of the greatest players in Barcelona’s history, winning numerous titles and breaking countless records along the way.

The Future of the Number 11 Shirt

As of now, the number 11 shirt is still in possession of Lionel Messi. However, with rumors of his departure from Barcelona circulating, it remains to be seen who will take over as the new owner of this iconic shirt. Some have speculated that young talent Ansu Fati could be a contender for the number 11 shirt in the future.

Conclusion

The number 11 shirt holds a special significance at Barcelona Football Club. It has been worn by some of the club’s greatest ever players, including Romario, Rivaldo, and Lionel Messi. Whoever takes over as the new owner of this iconic shirt will have big shoes to fill and will need to live up to its rich history.