New shirt number included? Lamine Yamal set to extend contract
Lamine Yamal is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown at FC Barcelona. The 17-year-old exceptional talent has one year left on his contract, but now a contract extension seems ever closer.
Set to continue to work magic at FC Barcelona in the future: Lamine Yamal. IMAGO/NurPhoto
Lamine Yamal may only be 17 years old, but this exceptional talent is already the face of FC Barcelona. His contract with the Catalans only runs until 2026, as it was not possible to extend his contract beyond that date when he signed his current contract in October 2023 due to club statutes. However, even then, it was reported that a verbal agreement had been reached with agent Jorge Mendes for a contract until 2030. The signing was scheduled for 2025.
Now it's 2025 – and Lamine Yamal's star has fully risen. European champion with Spain and newly crowned Spanish champion and cup winner with FC Barcelona. It's clear that numerous clubs would love to have the skilled technician in their ranks. Lamine Yamal, who has been with FC Barcelona since the age of five, even made a clear commitment to Barca at the beginning of the year and promised an extension.
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" Ultimately, Barca is the club of my life . I hope to 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."
Treaty 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 any problem. He grew up here, he's from here. I don't know of 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's a genius and enjoys being here. He has his friends at Barca. He's a player of exceptional individual quality, but also a team player—and he feels comfortable. Furthermore, communication with his agent, Jorge Mendes, is straightforward," he said in an interview with the Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia , announcing: "His extension is practically already decided; it just needs to be ratified."
At Barca you are better off than anywhere else
Laporta didn't provide any details, but they've been circulating in the Spanish media for a long time. Mundo Deportivo, for example, reports a contract term until 2030 and an annual salary of around €25 million – Lamine Yamal's current annual salary is said to be €1.6 million. 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 well-paying club, but we also say that you're better off at Barca than anywhere else."
Barcelona is expected to make the contract extension official on July 13, Lamine Yamal's 18th birthday. This will also be accompanied by a new shirt number. The playmaker, who currently wears number 19, will receive the legendary number 10, the number 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, the designated successor to Messi – but Lamine Yamal has long since taken over that role.
