Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s teenage sensation, is rapidly becoming a global superstar. Former sporting director Jordi Cruyff has revealed that the club had to act with patience and caution to secure the talented young player. Had they moved sooner, Barca could have risked losing him to another club without compensation.
Yamal’s Early Impact on Xavi and the First Team
Jordi Cruyff, son of legendary Barca figure Johan Cruyff, recently shared insights into Yamal’s early days with the first team. Speaking to Movistar Plus, Cruyff recalled how quickly Yamal impressed head coach Xavi. “The first time he went to train [with the first team], after five minutes the coach, who was Xavi, looked at us and said ‘this is special’,” Cruyff said. Even the veterans in the squad could see Yamal had rare talent, something very difficult to find.
The Delay in Yamal’s Debut
Despite Yamal’s evident talent, Cruyff explained that Barcelona had to delay his official debut. The reason? The club didn’t yet have a long-term contract in place for the youngster, making it risky to unveil him too soon. “I wanted to give him his debut sooner, but we didn’t have a contract with the boy, so we had to first make sure that he was going to be ours for many years,” Cruyff explained. The club was cautious, knowing that revealing Yamal too early could attract interest from rival clubs that might try to snatch him away with no transfer fee.
Barcelona’s €1 Billion Release Clause
Barca’s patience has paid off. The club now has Yamal tied to a deal that includes a staggering €1 billion (£838m/$1.1bn) release clause. This contract ensures that Barcelona will retain control over Yamal’s future for many years to come, protecting him from the interest of Europe’s top clubs. The club carefully navigated the situation, waiting until the right moment to reveal the young talent and secure his long-term future at Camp Nou.
A Star for the Future
Lamine Yamal’s story is one of patience, talent, and careful management by Barcelona. Now securely under contract, the teenager is poised to make an even bigger impact on the global football stage. The decision to wait has allowed Barca to protect their rising star and avoid any potential rival interference. With a €1 billion release clause, Yamal’s future at Barcelona is brighter than ever.
Summary
Lamine Yamal impressed Xavi and veterans early on in first-team training.
Barcelona delayed his debut until they secured a long-term contract.
Yamal is now tied to the club with a €1 billion release clause.