Global superstar Lamine Yamal currently wears the No.10 shirt - which Anthony Gordon wore at Newcastle United.
Anthony Gordon will not wear his No.10 jersey at Newcastle United when he joins Barcelona next month.
Currently away on international duty ahead of the World Cup, the 25-year-old completed his £70million move to the Camp Nou last Friday. Gordon will get the chance to dispel the doubters who believe he does not belong at the elite level of European football.
At his unveiling, he held up a Barca jersey with 2030 on the rear - a reference to the five-year contract penned in Catalonia. NewcastleWorld has profiled the numbers Gordon could wear when Barcelona announce their squad list ahead of the new campaign.
Why Anthony Gordon will not wear No.10
As mentioned, Gordon wore the No.10 at Newcastle, having switched from No.8 a few months after his arrival. But a certain Lamine Yamal - the poster boy of Barcelona - is the current incumbent.
What numbers could Anthony Gordon choose
Previous numbers as he broke through at Everton include No.70, No.42 and No.24 - which all appear unlikely. Gordon has also donned No.18, No.17, No.11 and No.7 with England.
Interestingly, he is set to wear No.18 at the World Cup - but that is currently sported by left-back Gerard Martin. Some have suggested Gordon could take the No.9 shirt after Robert Lewandowski.
However, Barca are chasing a striker - notably Julian Alvarez - so could be reserving the spot for him. A more plausible option is No.12 - vacant since Martin Braithwaite's surprise stint at the club.
It should be noted that No.19, No.17 and No.14 - Marcus Rashford’s number - could become available. Gordon taking his jersey - literally - would be a bitter pill for the Manchester United man to swallow.
Anthony Gordon pens second message
Gordon opened up about his love for Newcastle to the club’s official media channel. However, he penned a more heartfelt - and lengthy - message via his Instagram account.
“Three-and-a-half seasons have flown by, and it feels like I’ve been here all my life,” Gordon wrote. “I arrived as a young boy who had just left home and didn’t know what was to come, but from the very first day I knew I had come to the right place. I joined Newcastle because I felt my ambitions matched those of the club, the staff, and the players, and from my first session I knew this was the place I needed to be.
“To my teammates, staff, and coaching staff, I’m so thankful and grateful that I got to share every day with you all. I wouldn’t be the person or player I am without all of you pushing me each day and the special relationships I’ve been able to build during my time here.
“The Newcastle culture is one of the best there is in terms of discipline, teamwork, and simply being around good people. Every training session and every game in a Newcastle shirt, I knew my team had my back, and I never took that feeling for granted.
“It’s very rare to find people who want you to succeed as much as you want to yourself, and I felt that every single day. Even in the toughest times, I never took for granted how special it was to come into training every day and be part of this culture and environment.
“To the fans, I arrived in very difficult circumstances, but you still believed in me from day one, and I was determined to prove you all right. From the moment I heard my song at Chelsea, I knew I had to give you all something to cheer for, and I hope you know I gave absolutely everything I had for you and for the club. Some of the nights we’ve had at St James’ Park are unforgettable and created some of the best atmospheres I’ve ever witnessed.
“I hope you get the success you all deserve for the incredible commitment you show in supporting Newcastle, and it has been my pleasure to play in front of you, home and away. These years have been so successful for both the club and me personally - qualifying for the Champions League two out of three years after being away from the competition for so long, and winning the club’s first trophy in 60 years.
“I’m so proud to say I’ve been a part of this period in the club’s history. I’m going to miss everything about Newcastle, and it truly has been the best years of my life. On and off the pitch, I’ve made memories that will stay with me forever. I’m no longer a Newcastle player, but I’ll always be a Newcastle fan, and I’ll continue to watch and support from afar. Thank you for everything, Anthony.”
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