Barcelona’s perfect start to the La Liga season ahead of Real Madrid has been one of the key European stories. The Catalan side has five wins from five games and an impressive tally of 17 goals. Amid the team’s strong collective performance, one player has stood out above the rest: <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/no-chance-in-2025-finalissima-possible-match-date-suggested/">Lamine Yamal</a>. The 17-year-old prodigy has contributed to seven of those goals. He has been one of the most productive players in the league so far. His rapid ascent to the top is nothing short of astonishing. Thus, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule">Barcelona</a> is already taking steps to reward their young star for his contributions.



Lamine Yamal has quickly become a key figure for Barcelona this season. He has played an incredible 446 out of 450 possible minutes so far. His rise is a testament not only to his immense talent but also to the trust that the Spaniards have placed in him. Still only 17, Yamal has already amassed three goals and four assists in La Liga.



His contributions are not just limited to his club. He has already earned a prominent role in Spain’s national team, helping them secure Euro 2024 glory. His ability to impact games at both the domestic and international levels has led many to label him the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/england-great-identifies-new-messi-and-he-plays-for-spain/">heir apparent to Lionel Messi’s throne at Barcelona</a>.



<h2>Increased salary to match contributions of Lamine Yamal</h2>



According to reports from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marca.com/futbol/barcelona/2024/09/16/66e723cc268e3eaa6a8b4595.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marca</a>, the club is fully aware that the teenager’s current contract no longer reflects his importance to the team. The winger currently earns a relatively modest $1.6 million per year. It is significantly lower than what his status as one of the most valuable players in La Liga would warrant. Barca is reportedly planning to give their superstar a significant wage increase this season. This should better reflect his contributions and importance to the team.



Once Yamal turns 18 in July of next year, the club will offer him a long-term contract that will keep him at the club until 2030. This new deal will come with a salary that befits his superstar status. The decision to offer him a long-term deal also reflects the Blaugrana’s desire to protect one of their most valuable assets. Barcelona previously turned down a world-record bid from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024.



This summer, PSG made a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/270m-bid-for-yamal-before-euro-2024-what-did-barcelona-say/">massive bid of around $277 million</a> to try and lure Yamal away from La Liga. However, the Catalan club <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwgFk4bnY94" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swiftly rejected the offer</a>, showing their commitment to keeping their star player at the club.



<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_20240918_WST_529715_Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary-1200x675_93026acc.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-529745" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Lamine-Yamal-Barcelona-salary.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Yamal himself has expressed a strong desire to stay in Barcelona, reassuring fans that he has no intention of leaving. His loyalty to the club, combined with Barcelona’s efforts to secure his long-term future, means that Yamal is likely to remain a key figure at the Camp Nou for years to come.



<h2>Future of club</h2>



Lamine Yamal is just one of several young players that Barcelona are planning to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/lamine-yamal-and-nico-williams-barcas-template-for-success/">build their future around</a>. Alongside Yamal, La Masia graduates like Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and center-back Pau Cubarsi are seen as the core of a new generation of Barcelona players who will lead the team into a new era. These young talents represent a return to the Catalans’ famous philosophy of developing players through their academy, a strategy that brought the club so much success in the past.



Yamal’s rapid rise to stardom is particularly remarkable. Having made his debut as a 15-year-old in April 2023, he became Barca’s youngest player in over a century. Since then, he has gone on to score 10 goals and register 13 assists in 56 games for the club. His performances have earned him accolades at the international level as well, with Yamal becoming Spain’s youngest-ever player and goalscorer.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Scaring PSG off: Huge salary increase on horizon for Yamal

Lamine Yamal has surpassed all expectations Barcelona has set for him, and that makes Barcelona want to bump up his salary.

Barcelona extended their winning streak with a 4-1 win in the first Catalan derby of the season at Girona. Lamine Yamal was the star of the show as he reached double figures for goals as a player for Barca.



<h2>Yamal reached double digits for Barca</h2>



<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_20240915_WST_529175_Yamal-Barca-1-1-1200x675_a2c86d0a.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-529248" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-1-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-1-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-1-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-1-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Just before the international break, Michel’s side beat Sevilla away from home as Abel Ruiz opened his LaLiga account. The striker who captained <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/09/sport/spain-france-mens-soccer-final-spt-intl/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spain to the Olympics gold medal</a> is the replacement for the league’s top scorer Artem Dovbyk.



Meanwhile, Barca was the only team to win all the first four games in LaLiga. With Real Madrid taking three points from San Sebastian despite another lackluster performance, the task was to stretch the lead over the champions to four points.



Although the first goal was self-inflicted with David Lopez easily dispossed by Yamal, Barcelona deserved to go two goals ahead at the half-time break. The 17-year-old was at the double to reach 10 career club goals.



Euro 2024 Young Player of the Tournament started the new season with blistering form. Despite fitness issues during the international break, he started both of Spain’s games in the Nations League.&nbsp;



He has direct goal contributions in all five games so far. And he’s expected to be crowned as the winner of the Kopa Trophy in next month’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. Yamal is not only for the future. He’s also the present.



<h2>Flick’s well-drilled team posed a challenge to star-studded Real</h2>



<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_20240915_WST_529175_Yamal-Barca-2-1200x675_3be1c6a5.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-529249" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-2-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/09/Yamal-Barca-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Barcelona’s second-half dominance was even more impressive. Yamal could’ve had his first hat-trick and Robert Lewandowski came very close to keep his scoring run. It was only four by the end of the game, but Girona could’ve easily conceded seven like Real Valladolid.



After winning their first three games by a close scoreline of 2-1, Hansi Flick’s team is now crashing opponents with total dominance. The German coach worked wonders under <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/barcelona-suffer-further-financial-setback-with-big-fine-20240210-WST-488858.html">difficult financial conditions</a>.&nbsp;



Not only the Champions League kings Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid also strengthened with big-money signings this summer. In contrast, Barcelona only signed their academy graduate Dani Olmo and youngster Pau Victor.



Investing big in Olmo has been an instant hit as he scored in all his first three games. Although they only managed to keep one clean sheet, the attacking numbers more than made up for it. Barcelona had 23 shots on the night, including 9 on target.



It was also a sweet revenge for Barcelona as their 4-2 home defeat to Girona confirmed Real Madrid as champions last season. Girona also <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/laliga-girona-to-get-lesser-prize-money-regardless-of-outcome-20231213-WST-476946.html">won their first meeting</a> by the same scoreline in Montilivi.



<h2>What’s next for Girona and Barcelona?</h2>



Both teams will be on the road for midweek’s Champions League actions. Girona’s first-ever European game will see them face high-flying PSG at the Parc des Prince on Wednesday. The Parisians maintained their perfect start to the Ligue 1 season with a 3-1 success over fellow Champions League club Stade Brestois.



And, on Thursday, Barcelona will be up against AS Monaco. The Monegasque are yet to concede a goal from an open play. Adi Hutter’s side could potentially challenge PSG and Marseille for a Ligue 1 throne.



In league action, bottom-placed Valencia will be Girona’s next opponent as last season’s surprise packages aim to return to winning ways. Barcelona, without the suspended Ferran Torres, will have a third consecutive away game as they visit Villarreal, whose three wins came via injury-time winners.



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