Nike Reportedly Pressures FC Barcelona Into Signing New Messi ‘10’ Heir Amid Fati Sale Rumors

Ansu Fati’s poor form has pushed Nike into pressuring FC Barcelona to find a new heir for Lionel Messi’s iconic number ’10’ jersey, it has been claimed, with one potential name already firmly on the table.

Fati broke into the Barca first team as as 16-year-old prodigy while Messi was still at the peak of his powers at Camp Nou. The Guinea-born-sensation smashed a number of youngest appearance maker and goalscorer records, and when Messi left to Paris Saint Germain on a free transfer in the summer of 2021, Fati inherited his number ’10’ jersey and signed a fresh contract that runs until 2027 with a PSG-proof €1bn ($1.075bn) release clause.

Fast forward to early 2023 and Fati is currently struggling for minutes and form under coach Xavi Hernandez, as Barca close in on their first La Liga title win in four years.

Given they have to reduce €200mn ($2015mn) from their wage bill, as warned by the Spanish top flight’s president Javier Tebas, a big player sale is likely and it has been suggested that Fati could fit the bill.

This once seemed unthinkable, but after reports from SPORT and Mundo Deportivo separately linked Fati to Manchester United and Bayern Munich, Barca have been accused of trying to force the 20-year-old out of the club.

Furthermore, in a report from El Nacional on Wednesday, it has been suggested that “neither Barca, as an institution, nor Nike, as the sports brand that dresses the team, can afford for a number with such a brilliant legacy to stop shining both at a sporting and commercial level”, in relation to the ’10’ Fati inherited from Messi.

Vitor Roque has reportedly been put forward as one of the names that can compete with Fati or “directly be his heir”, with Nike both sponsoring the youngster and the Brazil national team.

Barca are said to be negotiating his transfer with Athletico Paranaense as he lights up the South American U20 Championships with Brazil as its lead goalscorer, and they could land him for a fee ranging between €35-40mn ($37.6-43mn) which can be paid in installments.

Just over a week before Fati signed his contract, the same outlet said that Nike was pressuring Barca to give Fati the number ’10’ jersey.

But even though these operations could happen – Fati being sold and Roque being bought – it seems difficult to believe that Nike would throw Fati on the scrapheap so switfly.

Additionally, it would be wise not to put extra pressure on Roque by handing him the iconic jersey either. As if signing for one of the world’s biggest clubs upon turning 18 and having to fulfil your potential wasn’t enough to deal with, he would also need to live up to the name of arguably the greatest player of all time in Messi.