Lamine Yamal Signs Long-Term Deal with Eyes on Messi’s Legacy
FC Barcelona have officially confirmed that teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has signed a new long-term contract with the club, keeping him at the Camp Nou until 2031. The 18-year-old winger has also been handed the iconic No.10 shirt — a jersey once worn by legends like Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho, and more recently Ansu Fati, who is currently on loan at AS Monaco.
Following the announcement, Yamal made a bold and confident statement:
"Messi walked his path — I’ll walk mine."
He continued: “Messi, Maradona, and Ronaldinho are three legends of the game. I will do everything I can to be worthy of their legacy.”
The 2024/25 season was a true breakout year for Yamal. The Spanish international played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona win both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. His electric performances on the right flank have already sparked conversations about him being a future Ballon d’Or contender — despite his young age.
And Barça are treating him like a superstar already. According to Spanish media reports, Yamal’s new contract includes a base salary of €15 million per year, potentially rising to €20 million with performance-related bonuses. A clear signal of the club’s long-term trust in their homegrown prodigy.
Our new No. 10 pic.twitter.com/OtaCSGPj6t
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2025
A photo for the books. 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/oCpCC3aHW1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 16, 2025