Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly FC Barcelona’s crown jewel. The 17-year-old prodigy’s contract expires in a year, but it now appears that a contract extension is on the horizon.
Lamine Yamal may only be 17 years old, but the exceptional talent is already the face of FC Barcelona. However, his contract with the Catalans only runs until 2026, as it was not possible to sign him for longer when he signed his current contract in October 2023 due to statutes. But even back then, it was said that there was a verbal agreement with agent Jorge Mendes for a contract until 2030. The signing was supposed to take place in 2025.
Now it’s 2025, and Lamine Yamal’s star has risen to new heights. He is European champion with Spain and the newly crowned Spanish champion and cup winner with FC Barcelona. It goes without saying that numerous clubs would love to have the talented technician in their ranks. Lamine Yamal, who has been with FC Barcelona since he was five years old, made it clear at the beginning of the year that he was committed to Barca and held out the prospect of an extension.
“Ultimately, Barca is the club of my life. I hope I can extend my contract and stay as long as possible,” Lamine Yamal told CNN. ‘I want to play in the Spanish league. I want to play for Barca, and yes, I will extend my contract. I will.’
Contract extension ‘just needs to be ratified’
Now things seem to be moving forward. A week ago, sporting director Deco told ESPN that the extension “will happen. I don’t see a problem. He grew up here, he comes from here. I don’t know a better place for Lamine.” Club president Joan Laporta was even more specific.
“At 17, Lamine is already one of the best in the world. He is a genius and enjoys being here. He has his friends at Barca. He is a player of exceptional individual quality, but also a team player – and he feels at home. What’s more, communication with his agent Jorge Mendes is straightforward,” he said in an interview with Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia, announcing: ”His extension is practically a done deal, it just needs to be ratified.”
Laporta did not give any details, but these have long been circulating in the Spanish media. Mundo Deportivo reports that the contract will run until 2030 and include an annual salary of around 25 million euros – Lamine Yamal’s current annual salary is said to be around 1.6 million euros. With the new contract, the youngster would then become one of the top earners within the club. “We pay our players according to their abilities,” Laporte explained, emphasizing: “We are a club that pays well, but we also say that you are better off at Barca than elsewhere.”
Barcelona is expected to make the contract extension official on July 13, Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday. This will be topped off with a new jersey number, with the playmaker, who currently wears number 19, set to receive the legendary number 10, currently held by Ansu Fati and worn by Lionel Messi for many years. Ansi Fati himself was once considered a great hope and by many already designated as Messi’s successor – but Lamine Yamal has long since taken over that role.
