As a football data analyst with a PhD in sports science, I’ve studied how jersey numbers transcend symbolism—becoming tactical heirlooms. When Messi took over Barça’s No. 10, it wasn’t just a handover—it was a calibrated transfer of legacy, encoded in xG patterns and defensive spacing. This isn’t fan fiction; it’s statistical poetry. I’ve seen the heatmaps. The silence between generations speaks in passes.