FC Barcelona have seen two teenagers explode with the first team during the last two seasons. In 2022-23, Alejandro Balde rose to the scene to become the de facto left-back for Barcelona, relegating Jordi Alba to the bench for the season.
In the current season, Lamine Yamal has taken Barcelona and Spain by storm and is becoming an increasingly important protagonist for Xavi’s team.
Contracts signed before USA departure
Both these players have been trained and developed at La Masia, and the Catalans would be hoping they can stay with the club for their entire careers and keep performing at a world-class level.
However, doubts about such a possibility have arisen in the past because their contracts, ending in 2024, have not yet officially been renewed amid Barcelona’s troubles with La Liga in regard to its FFP constraints.
Now, Mundo Deportivo has provided some insights into this renewal operation with a report that claims that both players had already signed their new contracts at Cuitat Esportiva before leaving for the USA pre-season tour.
Both these players were accompanied by their parents at the event and were received by Mateu Alemany, who oversaw the contract signing process.
Contract details
Lamine Yamal is still only sixteen years old, and according to FIFA rules, he can only sign a contract for up to three years. However, Barcelona have already laid the plans for another extension at the end of this three-year contract, which will see the youngster sign for another five years.
Yamal would have a €400 million release clause in this contract, while the next contract will see this amount increase to €1 billion. On the other hand, Balde is already of legal age and has signed a five-year contract with a €1 billion release clause.
It is now only a matter of time for these contracts to be made official. The Catalans are confident that the wage cap reductions by La Liga will not affect these two operations.
