Barcelona's Wage Cap Crisis Delays Yamal's Salary Increase
Barcelona wants to boost Yamal's salary to over €20M, but financial limits delay the move. Will they find a way?
Barcelona plans to increase Lamine Yamal's salary after his impressive start to the season, but the club’s financial restrictions are holding back the raise, according to MARCA.
At 19 years old, Yamal is already the best-paid player at the Catalan club. His current earnings, including fixed pay and various bonuses, are estimated at nearly 20 million euros net per season.
When Yamal renewed his contract with Barcelona in 2025, he negotiated a clause allowing for another salary increase after two years, depending on his performance.
His development since then has more than justified this move. Yamal has become one of the key players in Hans Flick’s squad and ranks among the biggest stars in world football.
Rodri is among the few players whose current pay comes closest to Yamal’s, following his transfer to Barcelona. Rafinha is also expected to reach a similar salary range after renewing his contract.
But once the planned raise goes through, Yamal is expected to pull clear of the rest of the team’s wage hierarchy once again.
Barcelona’s main issue lies with the wage cap for the squad. The current limit stands at around 582 million euros, while salary expenses are already approaching 581 million. This leaves almost no room for an immediate activation of the agreed raise.
As a result, the club will wait for its financial situation to improve before fulfilling the deal with Yamal.
The management expects Barcelona’s wage cap to rise to about 636 million euros this year. Such an increase would free up enough space for Yamal’s new salary without hindering work on other contracts in the squad.
