With the sumer transfer window officially closing at midnight this past Friday, the FC Barcelona squad for 2018/19 has been set and the shirt numbers allocated. The majority of the players retain the same numbers that they wore last season, with a few exceptions: Philippe Coutinho switches from no.14 to no. 7, and Thomas Vermaelen swaps no. 25 for no.24.
The new arrivals take squad numbers left vacant due to summer departures from the club. Arthur assumes the no.8 shirt used by Andrés Iniesta since 2007/08, whilst Clément Lenglet will wear the no.15 registered to Paulinho last season. Arturo Vidal claims the no. 22 used by namesake Aleix Vidal, and Malcom inherits Javier Mascherano's no.14.
Players returning from loan spells at other clubs also get squad numbers. Munir and Sergi Samper have been assigned the no.19 and no.16 shirts left behind by Lucas Digne and Gerard Deulofeu, respectively. Rafinha gets the no.12 and Carles Aleña is given no. 26. The latter will use the same number for both first team and Barça B appearances.
