Lamine Yamal Signs Stunning New Contract with FC Barcelona

Rocafonda, Spain – FC Barcelona announced on Tuesday that 17-year-old Lamine Yamal has signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2031. The deal includes a staggering buyout clause of €1 billion (£840 million), solidifying Yamal’s status as one of the brightest young talents in football.

The contract signing took place in the presence of club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco. However, the official photoshoot was postponed until July to accommodate Yamal’s grandmother, Fatima, who helped raise him after his parents’ separation.

Fatima emigrated from Morocco to Barcelona in 1990 with her five children. Yamal credits her support and guidance for his grounded attitude, expressing deep admiration for her resilience. Although Yamal offered to buy his grandmother a house, she chose to remain in their working-class neighborhood of Rocafonda.

Since joining Barcelona’s youth academy at age six, Yamal has made an indelible mark on the team, already achieving records such as the youngest debutant for Spain at the UEFA European Championship last year. He also made headlines by breaking his teammate Gavi‘s record as Spain’s youngest goalscorer.

Yamal’s rise from Rocafonda—a neighborhood with high poverty rates—has inspired many local children. “In Rocafonda, more Lamine Yamals and fewer evictions,” reads graffiti at the Club de Futbol Rocafonda, emphasizing the hope he brings to the community.

Young players in the area, like Mohammed Kaddouri and Damia Castillo, look up to Yamal as a role model. They share how his success has led to increased participation in football among both boys and girls, igniting dreams beyond sports.

Despite his fame and fortune, Yamal remains connected to his roots, often returning to Rocafonda to visit family. Friends describe him as down-to-earth, highlighting his humility and dedication to mentoring local youth.

Rocio Escandell, president of the Association of Rocafonda Neighbours, noted how Yamal has put the area on the map and changed perceptions among its residents. “Lamine has made people here believe they can be something,” she said, noting that aspirations now extend beyond sports and into various fields.

As Yamal prepares for another season with Barcelona, the football world eagerly watches the next chapter of his remarkable journey.