Barcelona Winger Eyes No. 11 Shirt for Upcoming Season

With the new season fast approaching, Barcelona is yet to finalize the allocation of shirt numbers to its players, hinting at significant potential changes in the upcoming campaign’s kit numbering.

Players like Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets have already departed, while others such as Ousmane Dembele and Franck Kessie are anticipated to leave in the coming days, suggesting a major shuffle in the squad’s shirt numbers.

Interestingly, Brazilian winger Raphinha has expressed a desire to claim the No. 11 jersey for the upcoming season. Despite wearing the No. 22 kit during his previous season at Leeds United, Raphinha wants the No. 11 shirt, a number that holds special significance for him as he sports the same number while playing for the Brazilian national team.

The current holder of the No. 11 jersey, Ferran Torres, is reportedly set to remain at the club despite speculation about his departure. On the other hand, Torres himself has expressed interest in taking on the No. 7 kit, which is expected to become available due to Ousmane Dembele’s potential move to PSG. The No. 7 number carries sentimental value for Torres, having worn it during his youth career with Valencia and the Spanish national team.

With the prospect of these kit number changes, both Raphinha and Ferran Torres will not only need to adapt to their new numbers but also elevate their on-field performances. The imminent departure of Dembele creates an opportunity for these two players to step up and fill the void, requiring them to enhance their consistency and contributions on the pitch.

Ferran Torres, who faced challenges in the previous season, has demonstrated signs of regaining his form and confidence during pre-season. Similarly, Raphinha, who made impactful contributions in his debut season, needs to establish greater consistency as he moves forward in his career.