Barcelona has made a historic decision with one of its greatest gems; the blaugrana club has closed ranks around Lamine Yamal after receiving a proposal from PSG. The French club, which is desperately seeking a new superstar after Kylian Mbappé's departure, put €250 million on the table. However, Joan Laporta and Deco have been clear from the very beginning: Lamine is not for sale.
PSG tried to repeat the masterstroke it pulled off with Neymar back in the day; this time, the target was the 18-year-old winger who's taken Europe by storm. The plan was to pay his release clause and offer him a top-level contract. Internal reports from the Parisian club consider that Yamal could be the natural heir to Messi and Mbappé, and that his long-term commercial impact would be incalculable.
However, the reaction at Can Barça has been immediate; not only has the proposal been flatly rejected, but decisive action has also been taken to shield his status. Lamine Yamal will wear the number "10" jersey, the club's ultimate symbol, which Leo Messi left behind. In addition, he will become the highest-paid footballer on the entire squad.
Lamine is the 10
This move is a statement of intent; Barcelona considers Lamine Yamal the central pillar of its sporting, economic, and media project for the coming years. His talent, maturity, and image are aligned with the values the institution wants to project. In addition, at a time of institutional transition, his presence represents the stability the club needs.
Laporta has given the green light to an unprecedented contract improvement for a player of his age; Lamine will earn a figure close to €20 million ($21.8 million) per season. The new contract will be valid until 2030, with variable clauses based on sporting and commercial objectives. The priority was to avoid external temptations and strengthen the player's emotional bond with Camp Nou.
Talents for years
With this move, Barça is sending a clear message to the market: future talents won't be sold, no matter how much money is offered. The commitment is to build from within, with a golden generation that already includes Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, and Gavi. Lamine is the emblem of this silent revolution that's already starting to bear fruit.
In addition, this multimillion-euro rejection is also a response to state-backed soccer; the Catalan club shows that, despite its financial problems, it's not willing to give away its stars. Not even for record figures. Not even if that could ease Financial Fair Play.
Lamine Yamal is already the most important footballer at Barcelona, on a sporting, institutional, and symbolic level. The number 10 jersey once again has an owner worthy of its history. The message is clear: Barça is not for sale, nor is its future.