
<p>Saturday’s El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona sets up to be a title-deciding game with young talent across the pitch. Yes, it is only the tenth game of the season. And, yes, the two clubs will play again later in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> season. Still, this game carries a heightened importance with the infusion of youth involved. Both <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> are sporting young stars for the first time in this storied rivalry.</p>



<p>For Barcelona, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/la-masia-continues-to-pay-dividends-for-cash-strapped-barcelona-20231023-WST-464128.html">new era of La Masia</a> is putting its fingerprints on recent performances. Gavi, Alejandro Balde, and Pedri are not new to this game. However, young sensations Lamine Yamal, Marc Guiu, and Fermin Lopez are likely to play in their first editions of the game. Each of these three players has played a role in delivering key victories for the club. Yamal has been the most impressive with consistent displays down the right side. Marc Guiu scored a game-winner just seconds into his debut against Athletic Club. Finally, Fermin Lopez had the eventual winner in Barcelona’s Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk midweek.</p>



<p>Real Madrid is also sporting a young player. Yet, he is already one of the best players in the world. Jude Bellingham made a high-profile move to Real Madrid over the summer from Borussia Dortmund. With his expectations, the Englishman is shattering every predisposition people and pundits had about him. Playing in an attacking midfield role, Bellingham has 11 goals in 12 games across all competitions. The only two games he did not score in are Real Madrid’s only blemishes this season.</p>



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<h2>Can Barcelona slow down Bellingham?</h2>



<p>Bellingham’s ability exceeds the talents of Barcelona’s youngest players. It helps that he has more years of experience than someone like Lamine Yamal. However, this edition of El Clasico could be a preview of years to come between two impending dynasties in Spain. Players on both sides of this derby had memorable beginnings in El Clasico.</p>



<p>That is the opportunity that lies in front of a player like Bellingham. The golden child for Real Madrid has already earned his praises at the Santiago Bernabeu. Leading Real Madrid to a result in Barcelona would only cement his status as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/fan-favorite-bellingham-makes-committment-to-madrid-future-20231018-WST-462987.html">one of its best signings</a> in recent years.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231027_WST_465202_Jude-celebration-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-465402" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Jude-celebration-1200x675.png 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Jude-celebration-300x169.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Jude-celebration-768x432.png 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Jude-celebration.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration is becoming a pleasingly regular sighting for Real Madrid supporters.</figcaption></figure>



<p>For Real Madrid, that success is rapidly becoming an expectation for the Englishman. It is one thing to point to his braces against Almeria or Osasuna. Look instead to his success against this season’s better LaLiga teams. He scored and assisted against Girona, the club between Real and Barcelona in the table, away from home. He scored against Athletic Club in his debut, also away from home. Bellingham has shown no slowing down when he does not have the boisterous fans of the Santiago Bernabeu. Even in the Champions League, he has scored sensational goals on the road. <a href="https://youtu.be/Q6ZzLHkWUOc?si=G7EtrxQFFnw7_uU7&amp;t=371">One in particular stands out</a> against Italian champions Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.</p>



<p>Barcelona’s defense has not been the record-setting figure it was last season, and that should excite Bellingham. In 2022/23, Barcelona conceded just 20 goals. That was 16 fewer than Real Madrid’s last campaign. However, in 2023/24, Barcelona has already given up half that total. Its 10 goals against are only tied for fourth best in the league. </p>



<h2>Young stars at Barcelona get reinforcement before El Clasico</h2>



<p>Regardless, Barcelona and Xavi have done enough to maintain the only unbeaten record in LaLiga. While those 10 games did produce three draws, the Catalan club has no shortage of creativity. New signing Joao Felix has been instrumental since coming over on loan from Atletico Madrid. Ilkay Gundogan has been a reliable and calming source in the midfield following his move from Manchester City.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231027_WST_465202_Lamine-Yamal-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-465398" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Lamine-Yamal-1200x675.png 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Lamine-Yamal-300x169.png 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Lamine-Yamal-768x432.png 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Lamine-Yamal.png 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Lamine Yamal is now the youngest goal-scorer in the history of LaLiga at the age of 16.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Still, for these La Masia graduates, this game shines brighter. It will help to have several players with experience in games of this magnitude on standby. Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri returned to training this week after stints on the sideline. They are far from guaranteed to start or even play on Saturday. Still, their candidacy to play is a boost for the club.</p>



<p>Moreover, some of the younger players will see it as an opportunity to prove themselves. Throughout his time managing Barcelona, Xavi has made decisions based on form rather than name. It helped <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-cruise-past-espanyol-to-win-la-liga-title-20230514-WST-432881.html">Barcelona win the league</a> last year, and he hopes it can pay dividends this year, too. Should he start the young players, he entrusts his confidence in unproven talent. A gamble, but one the teenagers and 20-year-olds at Barcelona surely appreciate.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


A new breed of young stars breathes life into El Clasico

The first El Clasico encounter of 2023/24 between sets up to be a title-deciding game with young talent across the pitch.


<p>La Masia has produced endless talents for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">FC Barcelona</a> over the years. Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Carles Puyol and Cesc Fabregas all came through the ranks of the club’s youth academy. However, Barcelona pivoted away from La Masia after those elite teams of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Barcelona <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcas-financial-struggles-deepen-212m-in-unpaid-transfer-fees-20231011-WST-461596.html">spent money on transfers aggressively</a>. The team’s performances at the time were satisfactory, but the club lost its future and its finances.</p>



<p>Now, with Barcelona struggling for money and desperate for success in a new era, La Masia is back producing elite players at an alarming pace. In its most recent <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-secure-narrow-win-over-bilbao-before-el-clasico-20231022-WST-464033.html">game against Athletic Club</a>, three of Barcelona’s starters came through La Masia, Gavi, Alex Balde and Fermin Lopez. However, they were just three of the pivotal players on the day. Xavi substituted on 16-year-old Lamine Yamal, and he provided 17-year-old Marc Guiu with his debut.</p>



<p>With Barcelona unable to find a goal, it took Guiu seconds to score his first goal for Barcelona. That goal proved to be the winning goal for the Catalan club. As a result, Barcelona shrunk the gap with Real Madrid at the top of the table to a single point. Guiu’s celebrations, and the <a href="https://twitter.com/postunited/status/1716203585778704856" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reaction of his parents</a>, fit the moment of a teenager being the difference for Barcelona.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="FC BARCELONA 1 vs 0 ATHLETIC CLUB | LALIGA 2023/24 MD10" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_PS819PLCLw?start=116&amp;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>This season, Gavi, Balde, Yamal and now Guiu have had massive impacts on games. The best news for Barcelona is that entering the season, each of those four was a teenager. Three of them still are, but Balde turned 20 just before the Athletic Club game. </p>



<p>Barcelona has relied on these players in an injury-riddled and money-tight season. In doing so, it may be turning the fortunes of the club for the better.</p>



<h2>La Masia setting up the present and future of Barcelona</h2>



<p>In the current season, Barcelona has faced a conglomerate of injuries. Moreover, these are injuries to key players. For example, Pedri, Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Jules Koundé and Sergi Roberto missed the Athletic Club game. Despite that, Xavi has managed to keep Barcelona afloat in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> while picking up <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-grinds-out-win-at-porto-in-champions-league-20231004-WST-460464.html">a pair of wins</a> in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a>.</p>



<p>These players will return. Pedri, Lewandowski and Raphinha are possibilities for this coming weekend’s Clasico. However, that is not the significance of what the La Masia players have been able to do for Barcelona. The Spanish side always had an issue with quality depth. With the expectation to compete in and win multiple competitions this season, Xavi needed more options. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231023_WST_464128_Barcelona-La-Masia-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Barcelona La Masia" class="wp-image-464130" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Barcelona-La-Masia-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Barcelona-La-Masia-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Barcelona-La-Masia-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/10/Barcelona-La-Masia.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>The first portion of the campaign has solved his issues. Not only does Barcelona have elite options across the field that came out of La Masia. These young players have a desire to play for a club legend in a time of need. As stated, Guiu’s celebrations and those of his teammates showed what his goal meant to him and the club. </p>



<h5>Balancing the revamped squad</h5>



<p>Xavi now has the much-welcomed task of ensuring these young players are content sitting behind the proven first-team talents. Lamine Yamal took advantage of his early opportunity this season when Raphinha picked up a three-game ban for a red card. Guiu has now done the same in his lone appearance with Robert Lewandowski on the sidelines. Fermin Lopez has a goal in the current campaign, and he has shown early potential.</p>



<p>In all likelihood, these La Masia graduates understand their role in the Barcelona system. With rapid development happening at Barcelona, La Masia is back to being a key piece of one of the best teams in Europe.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</em>.</p>


La Masia continues to pay dividends for cash-strapped Barcelona

17-year-old La Masia graduate Marc Guiu scored his first Barcelona goal to defeat Athletic Club as the latest young star for the Catalans.


<p>Barcelona cannot escape its injury problems, and it is having a direct impact on the team’s form in the current campaign. Following a harrowing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/results/soccer/match/primera-division/be4d8a89-af8e-46e3-876c-67086bd60b5f/">2-2 draw against Granada</a> on Sunday, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> revealed that two starters faced medical uncertainty. One of those is still reporting to international duty over the next two weeks.</p>



<p>Barcelona announced Jules Koundé and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal picked up injuries in that game. Koundé’s knock forced Xavi to take the Frenchman off in the first half of the game. Upon his substitution, Koundé was visibly upset. Lamine Yamal played for most of the game. In the second half, he scored his first goal in a Barcelona kit to become the youngest goal-scorer in LaLiga history. His injury was not serious enough to pull him out of the game. Instead, his substitution in the 76th minute was standard.</p>



<p>Regardless, Barcelona posted updates on its social media accounts to lay out what the future held for both Koundé and Yamal. Koundé has <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1711343231038787858" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a left MCL sprain</a>. This could rule the defender out for a month. Therefore, his status for Barcelona’s much-anticipated game against Real Madrid is <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/38613518/jules-kounde-doubt-el-clasico-barcelona-injury-worries-mount" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uncertain</a>. </p>



<p>In Yamal’s case, Barcelona said it is a <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1711366639566848021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">left hip flexor injury</a>. Despite the knock, the teenager is still reporting to duty with Spain for the October international break. He will undergo further medical treatment with the national team, which may determine his availability upon return to the Blaugrana.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jules Koundé is a major doubt to face Real Madrid on Oct. 28 and is likely to be sidelined for around a month after injuring his knee against Granada, sources have told ESPN.<br><br>Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski are also sidelined with injuries 🤕 <a href="https://t.co/UNgbadflgn">pic.twitter.com/UNgbadflgn</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1711403661828424122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>A growing list of injury problems at Barcelona</h2>



<p>With Yamal and Koundé joining the injury list, Barcelona’s litany of unavailable players is truly world-class. Pedri has missed most of this season with a hamstring injury that plagued recent seasons. A sprained ankle ruled Frenkie de Jong out for four games. Then, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lewandowski-sprained-ankle-how-long-will-injury-rule-him-out-20231005-WST-460512.html">Robert Lewandowski sustained an injury</a> in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-grinds-out-win-at-porto-in-champions-league-20231004-WST-460464.html">Barcelona’s Champions League win at Porto</a>. Raphinha has also missed the last two games because of a muscle injury.</p>



<p>These players do not have a timetable to return as things stand. As stated, the first <em>Clasico</em> of the season is looming. Barcelona has already dropped points in three games this season, allowing Real Madrid to an early three-point edge in the LaLiga table.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / NurPhoto</em></p>


Barcelona hit with more injury problems before int'l break

Barcelona has a growing list of injury problems. After a 2-2 draw at Granada this past weekend, the club revealed injuries to two starters.


<p>Barcelona is signing 16-year-old talent Lamine Yamal to a new contract extension that includes an other-worldly release clause. New reports indicate <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> wants to retain the winger for the future. Therefore, it is making the release clause over $1 billion. </p>



<p>Playing in his first season with the senior squad, Lamine Yamal has impressed. Even though he has yet to score, Yamal has been an impetus down the right side of the field. Despite his age, the 16-year-old shows a noted fearlessness when he plays. His creativity down the wing helped Barcelona defeat Sevilla this past weekend. His cross deflected off Sergio Ramos into the Sevilla net for the game’s only goal.</p>



<p>On Monday, Barcelona revealed Lamine Yamal signed a contract extension that runs through the 2025/26 season. By that time, he will still be a teenager. However, his potential could set him up as one of Europe’s best players. At least, that is the hope of Barcelona.</p>



<p>A product of <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1708831510294356298" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona’s youth academy</a>, Yamal originally filled in following Raphinha’s suspension early on in the campaign. The teenager’s performances helped Barcelona lead the league in goals after eight games. Now, he is one of Xavi’s favorites in the squad.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="ht" dir="ltr">❝It&apos;s an honor.❞<br><br>      — Lamine Yamal on his new deal with Barça <a href="https://t.co/bm3eFfimnx">pic.twitter.com/bm3eFfimnx</a></p>— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBarcelona/status/1708848907495571655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>Lamine Yamal contract extension with Barcelona makes him among most valuable</h2>



<p>If Xavi continues to use Yamal as a starter, his value among other clubs will continue to grow. Therefore, Barcelona would cash in on a massive profit in the hypothetical transfer of the Spaniard. According to <em><a href="https://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2023/10/02/651ad6db22601d5f2c8b4582.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a></em>, Barcelona set Yamal’s release clause at $1 billion. The club did the same with nine other players. Ronald Araujo, Pedri, Gavi, Alejandro Balde and Ferran Torres all have release clauses that meet or <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/bright-future-barcelona-to-tie-two-rising-stars-to-1bn-release-clause-20230909-WST-455147.html">exceed $1 billion</a>. This shores up Barcelona’s potential for the next three or four years.</p>



<p>Barcelona started doing these massive release clauses in response to losing Neymar to PSG, which triggered the Brazilian’s $222 million transfer clause to break the single-player transfer record in 2017.</p>



<p>Lamine Yamal will continue to hunt for records in Barcelona’s coming games. He set the record as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelonas-lamine-yamal-to-feature-on-spain-squad-at-16-years-old-20230828-WST-452600.html">the youngest player</a> and goal-scorer with Spain, while also being the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-struggles-to-a-win-over-a-defiant-cadiz-side-20230820-WST-451166.html">youngest debutante with Barcelona</a>. Yamal will feature against Porto in Barcelona’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> group-stage match on Wednesday. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua</em></p>


Barcelona extends teenager's contract with $1 billion clause

Barcelona is signing 16-year-old talent Lamine Yamal to a new contract extension that includes an other-worldly release clause.


<p>A bright future awaits Barcelona after they agreed to sign both Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde to contracts with a release clause.</p>



<p>The Blaugrana clearly have complete trust in them. This season’s crop of young Spaniards who have been turning heads on the pitch seem to have a bright future at Camp Nou.</p>



<p>At 16 years and 57 days old, Yamal has just made his Spain debut in the Euro 2024 qualification, becoming the youngest player in the country’s history in the process. </p>



<p>His current teammate on the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barca</a> squad, Gavi, established the record in 2021 at the age of 17 years and 62 days.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, Balde is rapidly progressing under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-exactly-is-barcelona-buying-new-players-20230902-WST-453621.html">Xavi Hernandez</a>, where the young prodigy’s talents have made an unforgettable mark despite his tender years. His latest Golden Boy nomination, with Gavi and Yamal, is a testament to his promising future.</p>



<h2>Barcelona to sign Yamal and Balde to long-term deals with a release clause</h2>



<p>When they return from representing <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/spain-national-team-tv-schedule/">Spain</a> in international competition, the two will allegedly sign new contracts with Barcelona. Both are now on the road with Luis de la Fuente’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024 qualifying</a> side, playing against Cyprus and Georgia.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/fc-barcelona/20230904/9204510/lamine-yamal-balde-firmaran-renovaciones-barca-paron-internacional.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Vanguardia</a>, upon their return, the pair will sign new contracts to ensure their continued success. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alejandro Balde comments on Lamine Yamal&apos;s latest IG post: "You give him his first goal and he doesn&apos;t even tag you… Nico Williams."<br><br>Nico William replies: "He doesn&apos;t respect his father." <a href="https://t.co/n5g3IjkAGC">pic.twitter.com/n5g3IjkAGC</a></p>— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarcaUniversal/status/1700535297828614576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Lamine Yamal’s contract will last until 2026, while that of Balde’s will extend until 2028. A three-year deal is the most that Barcelona can give him because of his age.</p>



<p>Both new contracts are set to feature buyout provisions valued at more than&nbsp;$1 billion to deter prospective suitors. Barca has reportedly been waiting for some time for the contracts to be finalized. This is because they needed to make room in their Financial Fair Play (FFP) budget.</p>



<h2>How have the duo been doing this season?</h2>



<p>As a result of his hard work and improvement, Lamine Yamal will sign his first professional contract. The teenager is presently a member of Xavi’s first-team squad and has been doing well.</p>



<p>Balde, who has established himself as the starting left defender, has also been rewarded with a contract extension. The Spanish international will wear Pique’s old No. 3 jersey this year.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</p>


Bright future: Barcelona to tie two rising stars to $1bn release clause

Two young talents at Barcelona will soon be locked into long-term contracts with a $1 billion buyout clause


<p>Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is expected to feature in the upcoming Spain National Team squad. At the age of 16, Yamal would be the youngest player to play for the Spanish national team. Yamal’s current <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> teammate Gavi currently holds that record. He first represented <em>La Roja</em> at the age of 17 in the UEFA Nations League Finals. </p>



<p>According to <em><a href="https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/lamine-yamal-elegido-seleccion-91428335" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sport</a></em>, Luis de la Fuente has communicated with Yamal’s family that he will be on the squad for the Nations League games in September. This ensures the talent will represent Spain at the international level. He also had the option of playing for Morocco, the country his father hails from. Yamal spent his international youth career in the Spanish ranks. Now, he will be on the squad when Spain plays against Georgia and Cyprus.</p>



<p>Lamine Yamal has broken out in the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign. In addition to making his senior debut with Barcelona, Yamal has had stellar performances. In the Joan Gamper Trophy friendly against Tottenham, Yamal put out a performance that drew heavy praise regardless of age. Then, in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-down-villareal-in-seven-goal-thriller-20230827-WST-452347.html">Barcelona’s dramatic win at Villarreal</a> this weekend, home supporters gave the away talent a standing ovation when Barcelona subbed him off. </p>



<p>This summer, Yamal impressed with the Spanish side at the U-17 European Championship. He scored four goals, including a goal in the quarterfinal and semifinal, where Spain lost to France.</p>



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<h2>Lamine Yamal impresses enough to get to the Spain squad</h2>



<p>There is a serious argument over whether Yamal is Barcelona’s most important player. Raphinha’s red card suspension has opened the door for the 16-year-old to be a key player in the Barcelona ranks. He hit the woodwork three times in the game against Villarreal, which shows that he is close to making an impact on the scoreline, too. He did provide an assist in that Villarreal game, which made him the <a href="https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/3655761/lamine-yamal-a-diamond-in-the-making" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">youngest player this century</a> to provide an assist in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a>. </p>



<p>The national team would be the next step in a blossoming career. He would earn valuable experience from a Spanish side that is full of young talent, much of which plays for Barcelona in Pedri, Gavi and Alex Balde. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO &amp; NurPhoto</em></p>


Barcelona's Lamine Yamal to feature on Spain squad at 16 years old

Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal is expected to feature in the upcoming Spain National Team squad for the UEFA Nations League.

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