Teenage Prodigy Lamine Yamal Extends Contract with Barcelona Through 2031

On Tuesday, Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal secured a new contract with the Catalan club, set to run until 2031, following an impressive season.

The 17-year-old winger has quickly established himself as one of the club’s vital squad members, playing a pivotal role in their domestic treble victory, including LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

“Barcelona and Lamine Yamal have finalised a contract extension until June 30, 2031,” announced the club in an official statement.

“The renewal of Lamine Yamal signifies the strength of Barcelona’s project. His rise in the football world has been extraordinary, with his journey commencing upon debuting on April 29, 2023, at just 15 years of age.”

Reports from Spanish media indicate that this new contract positions him among the highest earners at Barcelona.

After achieving victory at Euro 2024 with Spain last summer, Yamal recorded an impressive tally of 18 goals and 25 assists over 55 matches in all competitions during a remarkable season.

Operating mainly on the right wing, Yamal is a gifted dribbler whose pace and skill were instrumental in Barcelona scoring 102 goals in the league this season, reclaiming their title from arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Having come through the renowned La Masia youth academy, Yamal has drawn comparisons to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. He made his first-team debut under Xavi Hernandez in 2023 at the tender age of 15.

By the end of the 2023-24 season, he had emerged as the team’s primary attacking threat, even as Barcelona encountered a challenging campaign, finishing without any silverware.

After excelling at the Euros, Yamal seamlessly adapted to coach Flick’s attacking philosophy and displayed remarkable consistency, establishing himself among the elite players globally.

He delivered two standout performances in the Champions League semi-finals against Inter Milan, though the team fell just short, losing 7-6 on aggregate and continuing their wait for European glory.

“I promise to bring the Champions League trophy to Barcelona; we won’t relent until we achieve it,” vowed Yamal after the match.

Despite his young age, the winger has already made over 100 appearances for Barcelona.

Yamal, who celebrates his 18th birthday in July, joins team-mate Raphinha and coach Flick in securing contract extensions in recent days.

Spanish outlets report that his contract features various bonuses for achieve specific milestones, including winning the Ballon d’Or, alongside a considerable salary increase.

Yamal is considered a strong contender for this year’s prestigious award for the world’s best player.