Joan Laporta backs Barcelona to keep Lamine Yamal

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the club has the financial strength and sporting environment to keep Lamine Yamal beyond his current agreement. His comments come as European interest in the teenage forward is expected to grow, despite the player having extended his contract with Barça until 2031 in May.

Laporta said Barcelona remains a comfortable place for its players and argued that the club’s structure, sporting sections and leadership give Yamal reasons to stay. He acknowledged that the institution still has room to improve, but expressed confidence in the work being done to maintain its appeal.

Yamal, 19, has opened the season in outstanding form. He has scored nine goals and supplied 10 assists in 11 appearances across all competitions, making him one of the leading figures in Barcelona’s unbeaten start. The club has won all 11 of those matches.

The Spain international was also central to Barcelona’s Liga title campaign last season and is among the leading candidates for the next Ballon d’Or, due to be announced on Monday evening. His next test comes on Tuesday at 21:00, when Barcelona visit Paris Saint-Germain in the third round of the Champions League’s league phase. Laporta described Yamal as a player whose ability and personality have become central to modern football.