Barcelona Focus on Securing Lamine Yamal Contract Extension, Following Messi-Era Blueprint
Barcelona are making the renewal of rising star Lamine Yamal’s contract a top priority ahead of the upcoming season, aiming to replicate the successful model once used with club legend Lionel Messi, according to SPORT. The club is eager to finalize the deal swiftly, ensuring that the La Masia graduate becomes one of the best-compensated players under new coach Hansi Flick.
With the managerial situation settled and Raphinha confirmed to stay, attention has shifted to solidifying the futures of core players such as Frenkie de Jong, Eric Garcia, and most notably, Yamal. His agent, Jorge Mendes, was recently in Barcelona and confirmed that an agreement is close, reflecting the club’s intent to secure the 17-year-old’s long-term commitment.
Club president Joan Laporta revealed that Yamal’s new deal will take inspiration from the structure once used with Messi. “With Messi, we turned performance bonuses into a fixed salary,” Laporta explained, adding that Yamal’s wages will grow in tandem with his achievements on the pitch.
This contract format offers the young talent performance-related incentives—such as rewards for titles, personal accolades, and match milestones—that eventually become part of his base salary. The approach is designed to both reward and motivate, showing the club’s trust while encouraging continued excellence.
Sporting director Deco reinforced Laporta’s message, stressing the importance of merit-based compensation. “Being the top earner isn’t what matters—it’s being one of the most crucial players,” Deco said, outlining a strategy centered on fairness and value.
The model provides mutual benefits: as Yamal excels, his earnings rise, while Barcelona benefit from improved results and the financial upside of a more successful team. The structure mirrors Messi’s era, where the Argentine’s impact far exceeded his financial cost to the club.
By finalizing Yamal’s renewal, Barcelona hope to lay the foundation for a new era led by homegrown talent, just as they did during Messi’s reign. The club sees the 17-year-old as a cornerstone of its future and is moving decisively to secure his place at the heart of their project.
