Barcelona faces crucial financial decisions regarding teen phenom Lamine Yamal, whose current contract expires in 2026 and pays him an estimated €32,000 weekly. The 17-year-old winger, who finished eighth in Ballon d\'Or voting after his first full season and is on one of the best bargain contracts in the world, is due for a substantial raise that could further strain the club\'s finances.
Yamal has already played 2,236 minutes in league competition as of early April, plus another 1,200 in various cups, making him the fourth-most utilized player in Barcelona\'s squad this season. This playing time far exceeds what stars like Cristiano Ronaldo (1,080 minutes) and Lionel Messi (70 minutes) received at the same age.
Barcelona is preparing a new offer for Yamal\'s 18th birthday in July 2025, with Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes already holding discussions with club president Joan Laporta. Making Yamal the fourth-highest earner would cost approximately €265,000 weekly, adding €12 million annually to Barcelona\'s wage bill.
Mendes likely has higher aspirations for his client. To pay Yamal in line with his Ballon d\'Or ranking would require approximately €420,000 weekly, amounting to an additional €20 million annually.
Barcelona continues to recover from financial difficulties that began during Messi\'s final contract, which saw wages rise from 68% of revenue to 83% by 2020. The club still operates near LaLiga\'s squad-cost limits and faces constraints in transfer dealings.
To accommodate Yamal\'s new contract, Barcelona must either reduce spending on other players or significantly increase revenue. The club could earn additional prize money through Champions League advancement and a higher LaLiga finish, potentially generating between €12.5-€26 million in additional revenue.
Barcelona is also redeveloping Camp Nou, currently playing at the Olympic Stadium, which should eventually lead to substantial increases in match-day revenue despite short-term limitations.
The club must also carefully manage Yamal\'s playing time to avoid injuries that have derailed other young talents. Barcelona has firsthand experience with teen prodigy Pedri González, who signed at age 16 and has struggled with chronic injuries throughout his career.
Another cautionary tale is Ansu Fati, who received a six-year contract worth approximately €265,000 weekly after returning from a serious knee injury in 2020. Fati has since battled numerous injuries and fallen to the fringes of the squad, though Barcelona remains obligated to pay his substantial salary.
\"If he\'s robust and he\'s physically able to cope with that load, then they will continue to play him,\" said Sean Cumming, professor of growth and maturation in sport at the University of Bath, regarding Barcelona\'s management of Yamal\'s development.
\"I like to play all the possible minutes,\" Yamal has stated, showing his ambition to remain on the pitch despite potential long-term concerns.