Lamine Yamal is Barcelona’s new wonderkid, and the club will do anything to keep him. Barcelona are famous for producing some of the world’s best footballers. The list includes Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and, most recently, Gavi. There’s just something special about the club’s academy system.
Lamine Yamal’s transition to the first team has been very seamless. Though a teenager, it looks as though he’s been playing in the Spanish league for years, something even older players struggle with. With a new gem on their hands, Barcelona have tied the 2007-born winger to a long-term contract with a billion-dollar release clause.
La Masia prodigy Lamine Yamal signs a 3-year contract extension at Barcelona
Barcelona’s president understands the massive potential of Lamine Yamal, forcing him to offer the youngster his first professional contract (a 3-year contract) at the age of 16. “I am happy because it has been a very long road at La Masia,” Yamal said. “It is a pride for me. It is a dream for me to be at the club of my life for three more years, and I hope that I can have the best time with Barca,” he added.
Barcelona would have wished to tie Yamal down to a longer deal, but a rule prevents a deal longer than three years for players under 18. The Spanish international lived his dream in Barcelona’s 1-0 over Sevilla last weekend, forcing an own goal from Sergio Ramos.
Barcelona’s La Masia is always home to generational talents. The club’s academy has produced some of the best players the world has seen, including Xavi, Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, and Lionel Messi. Lamine Yamal is the latest La Masia graduate to join the first team, and the 16-year-old is doing more than expected under Xavi’s management.
The Spanish international has been in Barcelona’s books since the age of five and tasted first-team action in 2022 when he was invited to train with Xavi’s men. The 16-year-old made his debut in April 2023 in a La Liga match against Real Betis after coming on for Gavi in the 83rd minute. This season has been his breakout season, with the youngster going on to become the youngest player to assist a goal in La Liga in a match against Villareal in August.
Lamine Yamal is the newest young Barcelona player with a €1 billion release clause
Barcelona never hesitate to invest in their best talents, but they’re known for always protecting their interest by splashing a heavy release clause on them. The Spanish giants became the first club to benefit from having a huge release clause on players as PSG activated Neymar’s absurd release clause worth over $270 million in 2017.
Lamine Yamal is the latest young Barca player to have a €1 billion release clause after the club inserted the same term into the contracts of Pedri, Ansu Fati, Gavi, and Ronald Araujo. Ironically, 32-year-old Ilkay Gundogan, who was signed on a free contract from Manchester City last summer, has a release clause of €400 million in his contract.
Is Lamine Yamal the next Messi at Barcelona?
