Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has secured a long-term partnership deal with Adidas, as confirmed by the German sportswear giant on Monday.
"Adidas is proud to confirm Lamine Yamal joining the Adidas family as of today, wearing the X Crazyfast; perfectly suited to his agile and explosive style of play on the wing," the company said in a statement.
"Lamine grew up in Rocafonda, 40 minutes from his club’s training ground, and remains proud of his roots in the area.
"The partnership announcement film that has been posted on adidasFootball channels in collaboration with Lamine celebrates his football journey and connection to the 304, Rocafonda’s area code," it added.
Adidas announced that to mark the start of the collaboration "in a personal style", Lamine "will wear the Adidas X Crazyfast Leo Messi ‘Spark Gen10s’ in both European and domestic competitions", making him "the only player other than Messi himself to do so".
"I am proud to join Adidas as they have always been the brand of the best. Growing up, I idolized Leo Messi who has been with adidas since I first started watching football. I look forward to the many years ahead with adidas," Lamine said.
Following in Messi's footsteps, Lamine emerged from Barca's renowned La Masia academy, where he enrolled at the tender age of seven.
Although Lamine has a considerable distance to cover to reach the pinnacle achieved by the current Ballon d'Or holder, who continues to excel for Inter Miami and Argentina, he has already eclipsed Messi by breaking numerous club, country, and competition records.
Last year, Lamine became Barca's youngest debutant in the 21st century when he made a brief appearance in a spring victory over Real Betis, still only 15 years old.
This season, Lamine shattered the record for the youngest-ever La Liga goalscorer, and his call-up to the Spain national team saw him become La Roja's youngest cap winner and goalscorer as well.
The announcement of the Adidas partnership coincides with 16-year-old Lamine establishing himself as a near-permanent starter on the right wing under Barca head coach and Messi's former teammate Xavi Hernandez.
As part of the deal, Lamine will sport the same boots as the legendary number 10 as Barcelona aims to defend its La Liga title against the odds and make a deep run in the Champions League.