“Messi made his path and I will make mine,” Yamal said at an event at the club shop at the Spotify Camp Nou stadium.
“I will work as hard as I can, give everything and try to make those Barca fans who are there happy and those who are at home.”
The 18-year-old winger, often compared to the Argentine superstar who also came through the club’s La Masia youth academy, helped the Catalan giants win a domestic treble last season.
Yamal signed a new contract with Barcelona until 2031 in May, becoming one of the best paid players at the club.
“I hope to enjoy myself more than last year and make my dreams come true,” he said.
The teenager added he wanted to win the Champions League with the Catalan giants and also the World Cup with Spain.
Yamal has scored 25 goals for the club in more than 100 appearances, making his debut in 2023 at the age of 15 wearing the number 41 shirt.
“Barca is my life, I’ve been here since I was seven, for all kids from La Masia their dream is to make it to the first team and I’m doing it and I have to keep working,” said Yamal.
“When I was little I dreamed of being at Barca and having this number.”
After a season wearing the 27, last summer Yamal followed in Messi’s footsteps by taking the number 19, which the Argentine wore at the club between 2005 and 2008.
Ansu Fati inherited Messi’s number 10 shirt in 2021, when the now Inter Miami player left Barca for Paris Saint-Germain.
Beset by a series of injuries Fati was unable to fulfil his potential at Barca and signed on loan for Monaco in July.
Stars such as Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo have worn the Barcelona number 10 shirt in the past.
“[Messi, Maradona, Ronaldinho] are three legends of football, three legends of this club,” said Yamal. “I am grateful for what they gave the club and I will try to continue this legacy.” (AFP)