Barcelona are set to tie down two of La Masia’s brightest talents on long-term contracts in Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Both teenagers had just a year left to run on their current contracts, and there may have been some nerves at the club if they were unable to extend these deals soon.
They are both rated highly within La Masia, with Balde enjoying a sensational breakthrough last season, in a year which saw him overtake Jordi Alba as the first-choice left-back, as well as earning a place in the Spain National Team.
Yamal, who recently turned 16, became the youngest player to ever appear for Barcelona when he came on as a substitute against Real Betis in April, appearing at the age of 15 years and 285 days in his side’s 4-0 victory.
Romano has revealed that both players are set to sign long-term contracts, with Balde’s running until 2028 and Yamal’s running until 2026.
Stars for the future
Whilst Balde, 19, has already established himself as a first-team player, it may take slightly longer for Yamal to break through, given the depth that Barcelona have in attacking positions.
The attacker can play wide or as a striker, and Xavi has claimed that he is an “innate talent” who could “mark an era at the club.”
The pair are continuing a Barcelona tradition of producing elite talents from La Masia for the first team, joining the likes of Gavi and Ansu Fati in Xavi’s current squad, and are following the footsteps of the likes of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi himself in progressing from the academy to glory with the Blaugrana.
Balde has already made 51 appearances for the club despite his young age, and with Alba leaving the club, he will now take another step up as he becomes the undisputed first-choice defender in his position.