IN SPORT.ES
Barcelona’s No 10 will not be worn this season. The hole left by Leo Messi will not be filled by anyone. There was speculation that Philippe Coutinho would take it but the intention is that it remains empty.
La Liga’s rules say you cannot retire a number, although Barcelona have thought about trying to do this. The club want its first season without Messi being one where nobody wears it, unless absolutely necessary.
If someone has to wear it this season, it may well be one of the youngsters who comes up through La Masia to boost Koeman’s squad.
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If Coutinho stays, he will be given a shirt number other than the one Messi has worn for so many years.