Barcelona set Lamine Yamal wage limit to avoid repeat of Lionel Messi crisis

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's 17-year-old star winger, is rapidly becoming one of the world's top talents, already surpassing his previous season's goal and assist tally.

Despite his remarkable performance, Barcelona is cautious about offering him a massive salary, mindful of past mistakes with prodigies like Lionel Messi. Yamal’s current deal, which runs until 2026, sees him earning €1.7 million annually—much lower than top earners like Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong.

While the club acknowledges Yamal's potential to become their highest-paid player, they are determined not to repeat the financial mismanagement that led to Messi's departure in 2021. Barcelona has also rejected significant offers for Yamal, ensuring he stays without jeopardizing their budget.