Arda Turan Says Lionel Messi Was Ready to Give Up No. 10 Barcelona Shirt for Him

Arda Turan said that Barcelona star Lionel Messi offered to give him his No. 10 squad number on arrival at the club—a remarkable gesture, given how closely the Argentinian is associated with the shirt.

Turan joined Barcelona this summer, but owing to the Spanish giants' transfer ban, he cannot be officially registered until January 2016.

That means the former Atletico Madrid player was without a shirt number while the updated numbers were being given out Wednesday.

Per Sport, Turan said he was still giving thought to his eventual squad number and revealed Messi's offer:

"

When I got into the Turkish national team, I was wearing the number 14, because my father is a fan of Cruyff, but my shirt number is not too important to me. I will decide in January. Messi told me: 'If you want the 10, it's yours'. 

I can play in any position and I will work for it, this is why I have signed for Barça. I came to fight and I want to be one of the cogs of the team.

"

You have to doubt that, even if he said it was OK, Barcelona would switch Messi's number, given the history he has already created while wearing it.

[Sport]