Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal: From Prodigy to €40 Million Star as He Turns 18

To celebrate his coming of age, the footballer shared a dinner on Saturday with his parents, Mounir Nasraoui and Sheila Ebana, his paternal grandmother Fátima, and his closest friends at the La Cúpula del Garraf restaurant. The celebration continued in a rural house near Olivella, a town located 50 km from Barcelona. More than a hundred people, including his Barça teammates, celebrities and singers, were present at this private evening that lasted beyond midnight, when the young Barcelona striker cut his birthday cake, reports La Vanguardia.

Yamal is a key piece within the Barcelona squad. For many observers, the young winger of Moroccan origin has left his mark on Barça after Leo Messi’s departure in 2021. In March 2025, Yamal’s parents signed a letter of commitment for him to renew his contract with FC Barcelona until 2031. This contract comes into effect on July 13th, the date of his majority. From a net salary of two million, Lamine Yamal’s salary could reach 40 million gross if certain conditions, such as winning the Ballon d’Or, are met. His release clause remains at one billion euros. The official signing of the new contract will take place this Wednesday.

Lamine Yamal joined La Masia in April 2014, at the age of seven. Very early on, he was noticed for his talent. Xavi Hernández, who was closely following him, gave him the chance to play with the first team. The Spanish coach called on the young player, then 15 years old, for the match against Betis, played on April 29, 2023. Since then, the Barça prodigy has been breaking precocity records. This season under Flick, Yamal has scored 18 goals and provided 25 assists in 115 appearances, statistics that Messi had achieved at the age of 22. Next season, the winger of Moroccan origin will wear the number 10 jersey, previously worn by Maradona, Ronaldinho, Messi and Ansu Fati.

According to Transfermarkt, the market value of the Barcelona striker has increased from 180 to 200 million euros, making him the most expensive player at the moment. In comparison, Messi’s maximum market value was 180 million euros. That was in 2018, when the Argentine was 30 years old. Today, while Lamine Yamal undergoes his medical examinations, he will receive a cake to celebrate his 18th birthday with his teammates. The cake, prepared by his friend Semi, Chef at the Gaudim restaurant, will be decorated with a football and the number 10 jersey.