Barca’s youngest prodigy has fulfilled his promise, as the kid penned down a blockbuster renewal just hours ago. The La Masia teenage superstar has extended his contract till 2031, and his new deal has some eye-watering figures. Let’s get into the details.
Barcelona Set to Pay Yamal €15M/year: Justified or Reckless?
Yamal’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has cooked a lucrative deal with Barca for the 17-year-old. Yamal’s new basic salary of 15 million Euros triples that of his previous terms. The left-footed winger played an instrumental role in Barcelona’s domestic treble this season, and now he’s enjoying his dividends. But this is more than seasoned stars like Gavi or Araujo; is this a gamble or a staggering bet on potential?
While Yamal is a massive fan favorite, it’s essential to remember that Barcelona’s financial scars have not completely healed. Yamal will receive a hefty 15M Euros annually (potentially 20M Euros with bonuses), and it appears this may put some strain on the team’s finances. Now, Laporta needs to ensure that he generates at least the same revenue (if not more) through Yamal’s presence on the team. Otherwise, it’ll be really hard to keep Yamal.
The Highest Earner of The Barcelona Team
Yamal will be earning more than Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and everyone else. Some people will definitely raise eyebrows on this: why should a kid earn more than established superstars and legends? What message does this send to the rest of the team?
Well, I think the number is considerable, no doubt, but the team morale will not be disturbed by this. That is because Yamal’s shirt sales, sponsorships, and image rights currently have the highest value in the squad. All of his teammates know that he is Europe’s hottest superstar right now, and finances favor the trend. Yamal has earned this top spot, and everyone will understand this. But let’s hope Barcelona can afford him, as he continues to become a mega-star.
The Millionaire Kid with a Release Clause Worth a Billion
Lamine Yamal has a release clause of 1 Billion Euros as per his new deal. By this move, Deco and Laporta are making it clear to all European teams that the soon-to-be No. Ten is not for sale. He’s an asset groomed by Barca, and it’s his destiny to stay in this club. It’s the beginning of the Lamine Yamal era at Barcelona, and Europe isn’t ready.
But let’s not forget Neymar. The Samba prince, too, was supposed to be Messi’s heir, yet PSG was able to convince him to leave. That brought ruin for the player who, despite having peak potential, couldn’t progress further. Still, one billion is a number that most clubs will never even consider triggering. This number also tells that Laporta is ready to launch Barca’s project and protect his players in the process.