FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has put any doubts to rest about Lamine Yamal’s future at the club. Riding the high of an incredible treble-winning 2024–25 season, Laporta confirmed that the young star's contract renewal is pretty much done—it’ll kick in automatically once he turns 18. “His renewal is basically agreed, it just needs to be signed,” said Laporta, calling the 17-year-old winger “a genius who loves Barça, has close friends at the club, and is growing alongside a generation he knows well.”

Messi comparisons and trust in the player's circle

Laporta even drew comparisons between Yamal and Leo Messi in his early days, stressing that the club sees Barça’s project as the perfect environment for the teenager to become a global superstar. “Lamine, at just 17, is already one of the best in the world. He’s happy here, and so is his family,” he said. He also emphasized that Barça rewards players fairly based on their abilities and added, “There’s no better place than Barcelona to grow.”

On Frenkie de Jong, Laporta sounded optimistic about a new deal. While the club previously considered moving him due to his high salary, Laporta now says they’re fully focused on keeping him. “He’s recovered now, and we’re working on renewing his deal. He’s excited, and we’re committed to doing whatever it takes to keep him,” he stated.

Raphinha’s rise as a team leader and Locking in the core of the project

Raphinha, meanwhile, has surprised many with his progress. Laporta praised the Brazilian’s development under new coach Hansi Flick and confirmed that his future is also part of the club’s long-term plan. “What Flick has done with Raphinha is amazing—he’s become one of the team leaders. He even handed out stickers asking teammates to vote for him as captain! Plus, he loves life in the city,” said Laporta.

With both the club and the squad now more stable, Laporta is doubling down on securing key pieces for the future. Renewing Lamine Yamal, Frenkie de Jong, and Raphinha isn’t just about keeping talent on the pitch—it’s about building a solid foundation for the next phase of Barcelona’s success story.