Nike identify new player who could inherit Lionel Messi’s iconic no.10 shirt at Barcelona from Ansu Fati - Reports

Nike have identified Vitor Roque as Barcelona's next top shirt seller, inheriting Lionel Messi's No. 10 jersey amid reports of Ansu Fati's departure. The latter was handed Messi's iconic No. 10 shirt in 2021 after the Argentine left the Camp Nou.

However, Fati has endured a disappointing season, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 32 games across competitions. The Spanish forward has started just nine games.

Reports claim that Fati is growing impatient and could push for a summer move if he doesn't get regular game time. Barcelona will be in the market and have targeted Athletico Paranaense's 17-year-old centre-forward Roque, per El Nacional.

The Brazilian teenager has also received proposals from Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Arsenal, West Ham United, Atletico Madrid, and several Italian clubs. However, Roque wants to join the Blaugrana.

If an agreement is reached for the Selecao youngster to join Xavi's side, it could enthuse Nike. The Blaugrana's kit sponsors reckon Roque could follow in the footsteps of Messi and be a top seller of jerseys in Catalonia, as Fati has failed to reach expectations.

Vitor Roque (17 anos) com a camisa do @AthleticoPR:

⚔️ 11 jogos (3 titular)
⚽️ 3 gols
🅰️ 1 assistência
⏰ 110 mins p/ participar de gol
🥊 3 pênaltis sofridos (!)
👟 14 chutes (9 no gol!)
💯 Nota SofaScore 6.84

Tá em choque? Chama o @VitorRoque_F! ⚡️⚡️ https://t.co/0MLXzmjGqD

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has said that Athletico want €60 million for the striker. Roque has made 29 appearances in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five goals and providing an assist. The forward has also scored six goals and contributed two assists in 11 games for Brazil's U20 team.

Roque is a pacey frontman who can also play on the wing. He often finds himself in goalscoring positions and is one of many emerging Selecao teenagers. Barcelona's El Clasico rivals Real Madrid snapped up another Brazilian wonderkid in Endrick, who will arrive in Spain next year.

Lionel Messi's father plays down son's Barcelona return

Lionel Messi is unlikely to return to Barcelona as a platyer.

Lionel Messi has been in excellent form at the Parc des Princes this season, scoring 15 goals and contributing 14 assists in 26 games across competitions. Nevertheless, L'Equipe reports that Messi is becoming less tempted to remain in Paris beyond the end of the season.

The Argentine icon has been in talks with PSG over a contract renewal, with his current deal expiring in the summer. However, negotiations are yet to reach a conclusion. Speculation has grown over his future, with a potential return to Barcelona being touted.

His father, Jorge Messi, has seemingly ruled out a reunion for his son with the Blaugrana. He said (via ESPN):

"I don't think he will return (to Barcelona). The conditions are not there."

Lionel Messi: "Barcelona is my life, Barça gave me everything. I've lived here for longer than in Argentina.” https://t.co/3kHxxaK9S4

Lionel Messi emerged as one of the greatest players of all time during his 16 seasons at the Camp Nou. He scored 672 goals and provided 303 assists in 778 matches. The Argentine won the Ballon d'Or six times while with the Blaugrana.