Lamine Yamal is synonymous with success. Since joining the dynamic FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, everything has been a success for the young Barça youth academy player who seems tireless and omnipresent. Last night against Borussia, he was present in practically all of Hansi Flick‘s team’s attacking moves, also scoring a goal, the fourth, which sealed the tie.
He was involved in everything, with passes that, without being assists for the statistics, decisively clarified the goal plays, as in the 2-0 and 3-0, until he himself scored the 4-0 with a cheeky toe poke. The gestures at the end, asking to be substituted, were the most disturbing. Flick turned off the alarm.
New record for Lamine
At just 17 years and 270 days old, Lamine Yamal has reached 20 matches played in the UEFA Champions League. This has further consolidated his position as the player with the most appearances in the competition before reaching the age of majority, being the first to achieve such a number.
A renewal in progress
Lamine Yamal’s current contract expires in 2026, and although there is a ‘verbal agreement’ to extend it until 2030 when he turns 18, the lack of financial guarantees is thought to have caused the player’s renewal to be put on hold. If Barça does not manage to renew his contract before December 31st of this year, Lamine could negotiate with other clubs from January 1st, 2026 and leave for free on June 30th of that same year.
The contract extension negotiations are being handled with great secrecy on all sides. Lamine Yamal is no longer just worth his salary. He also makes the Barça brand more valuable. That is what his agent, Jorge Mendes, who works with Deco, with whom he has a good relationship, understands, in harmonizing his ambitions with those of the club as much as possible.
The idea of the Barça entity is to secure its greatest asset for five more years, until June 2030, and the footballer cannot conceive of any other option than to continue his career as a culé. However, aware of his importance within the team, the footballer has expressed to his agent, Jorge Mendes, his desire to sign a new commitment in line with his status.
FC Barcelona have shown their willingness to meet Lamine’s expectations by paying him an estimated salary of between 7 and 10 million euros per season, although a higher figure is not ruled out. The date for the signing of Lamine’s new contract is July 13-14, when he turns 18, but everything previously discussed with Mendes is verbal and subject to review, as the club admits.