This is a glimpse into the past and a warning into the future.
Under the skies of Catalonia, a young boy is the definition of magic with the ball. His name is Lamine Yamal, he has already taken the world by storm. The youngster is a blend of a fearless street footballer and a pure seasoned veteran. Lamine’s potential has had fans whispering “He the next big thing?”
As appreciation grows, so does a harsh reality come into the screen: If Lamine becomes a global star, will Barcelona be able to afford him?
The Unforgivable Past
To answer this disturbing question, we must revisit a painful chapter in Barcelona’s past. A heartbreak that was not that long ago, when the club had the greatest football player in history, Lionel Messi. La Pulga was a magician, who had dedicated his heart and soul to this club. Rising from the ranks of La Masia, Messi broke unreal records, won all major trophies, and became the club’s most iconic figure contributing a major part in the club’s repute. Messi holds the record for most goals for a single club. There were seasons where the team couldn’t do anything without Messi, his presence was enough to build terror in opposition teams.
Messi came to the club in 2003, he signed his first professional contract with the club on a piece of napkin. He played 17 seasons for Barcelona, being part of all the highs and lows the club went through. His growth was imminent, learning from greats like Ronaldinho, Deco, Thierry Henry, and many legends.
But in 2021, after nearly two decades of excellence, the greatest to ever play for this club was forced to walk away because he wanted to, but because the club couldn’t afford him. This failure was the result of La Liga’s strict financial fair play regulations, combined with Barça’s mismanagement and staggering debts which led to this unthinkable goodbye. Fans cried Messi, players cried, and the club was left with a wound no one could ever heal. This showcased a harsh reality, no player is immune to financial reality. But this harsh reality was hidden from the world due to a famous cover-up statement: “No player is bigger than the football club.”
It all ended from where it all started. Messi signed his first contract with Barcelona on a napkin. Messi ended his Barcelona career wiping his exclusive tears with a napkin. The reason the world was furious about this departure was not because Messi left due to financial reasons, it was because Barcelona’s president Laporta promised the fans that he would offer Messi a deal he could never reject.
Fast Forward: What If?
Fast forward to 2025, Barcelona has again been blessed with a star who rose from the ranks of La Masia-Lamine Yamal. Lamine has already shown brilliance beyond his years. The way he beats defenders, the way his vision operates, and his confidence to take on big moments, everything about him screams he is a “superstar in the making.”
He is just seventeen, but expectations are glooming around him. With each performance his market value is just bullish, this indicates his salary demands will too. And with this responsibility a question arises, will Barca be able to keep him?
Learning from the Past
There is no shame in saying that during Messi’s time at Barcelona, there were years when the player had enough with the club and decided to leave on certain occasions. But Barcelona managed to keep their starlet, making the bond better. But in Lamine’s case, what should Barcelona do?
As people say: “Once bitten, twice shy.” Barcelona slipped their hands off Messi, they need to do anything to avoid repeating the same error. This means the main focus should be smart financial decisions, avoiding gamble transfers, prioritizing key renewals, and building a sustainable wage structure that aligns with La Liga’s ruling. We saw another drama situation this season with Olmo and Victor’s contract problems directly hitting the club’s reputation which should have been solved beforehand.
Mental Game
There is another way to deal with this situation in the future. Special treatment to Lamine, this has already started with him getting the number 10 next season and all the PR value. If Lamine is fast-tracked to stardom unnaturally, it could unsettle the dressing room. We have seen clubs collapsing over player interests and this should be avoided in this case.
Don’t Let Lightning Strike Twice
Lamine is going to be Barcelona’s next poster boy. His talent is not enough which could keep him at the club for years. If the club wants to keep Lamine, they should not repeat the same mistakes they did with Messi. The heartbreak sirens have already been heard in 2021 and Barcelona fans don’t want a “deja vu”. It’s time to act wise and deal with the situation professionally. This time Barcelona should avoid opening doors and act to keep the prince home.