Barcelona set to offer Lamine Yamal a Messi-style contract renewal - reports
Barcelona are prioritising the renewal of young talent Lamine Yamal’s contract before the start of the next season, aiming to mirror the successful model previously used with Lionel Messi, as reported by SPORT. The club plans to avoid any delay in finalising an agreement that would make the academy graduate one of the highest-paid players in Hansi Flick’s squad.
After securing the coach’s continuation and confirming Raphinha’s stay, the focus now turns to key players including Frenkie de Jong, Eric Garcia, and especially Yamal. His agent Jorge Mendes recently visited Barcelona and confirmed that a renewal is imminent, signalling the club’s commitment to the 17-year-old prospect.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta explained in an interview that the contract approach will follow the path set during Messi’s time at the club. “With Messi, we consolidated bonuses into a fixed salary,” Laporta said, emphasising that the young player’s salary will increase alongside his sporting achievements.
The contract structure allows variable bonuses for titles won, individual awards, and performance milestones to become part of Yamal’s guaranteed salary once achieved. This system ensures the player feels fully valued while maintaining motivation to earn his place among the highest earners.
Sporting director Deco echoed Laporta’s views, highlighting the importance of fairness and performance-based rewards in player contracts. “It is not important if a player is the highest paid, but that he is one of the most important,” Deco said, underscoring the club’s focus on contract management.
This approach benefits both player and club: the better Yamal performs, the more he earns, while Barcelona can increase revenue through sporting success and sponsorships. The model follows the proven success of Messi’s contract, which saw the Argentine generate far more economic value for the club than his cost.
With this renewal, Barcelona aim to secure Yamal’s future as a key figure, building on the blueprint that once helped retain and motivate one of football’s greatest players.
