Lamine Yamal has said Barcelona will “of course” win La Liga despite their miserable run, adding that he expects to sign new terms at the club “soon”.
After winning Euro 2024 with Spain a day after turning 17 in July, Yamal, whose current deal runs until 2026, was hugely influential as Barca ran clear at the top of the table at the start of the German’s first season coach. Hansi Flick.
Four defeats and one win in seven league games left them five points clear of leaders Real Madrid and three behind Atletico Madrid, picking up a single point in the three league games Yamal missed with an ankle injury.
“Barca is the club of my life,” Yamal told CNN. “I don’t know when (I will sign a new contract), but I believe it will be soon. I hope to renew my contract and be with them as long as possible. I want to play in the Spanish league. I want to renew my contract and I will.”
“I think it will be soon.” 🙏
Lamin Yamal reveals when he will sign his new contract with Barcelona ✍️
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🎙️ @AmandaDCNN pic.twitter.com/u73IsOF0yC— Soccer on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 8, 2025
Yamal Barcelona statistics
Yamal’s total of nine assists in the league this season is three more than team-mate Raphinha, the player who has scored the next most goals in Spain.
Only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with 13 and Arsenal’s Bucayo Xhaka with 10 have more assists in Europe’s top five leagues, while Yamal has also scored five times, although he has not scored since. Barca’s 4-0 win in Madrid on October 26.
Barca’s record 15 points from six games in Champions League phase has put them second behind Liverpool and on course for an automatic place in the knockout stages, and Yamal believes Flick’s side can have the “best year of our lives” by winning plenty of trophies over the rest of the competition .
“Hanci is a different coach – the style of play is different,” Yamal said of the former Germany and Bayern Munich boss, who is in his first job outside his home country.
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 8, 2025
“We tried to adapt to what he told us and I think we are doing it well. La Liga will beat teams we have lost to in the past.
“It’s about focus. We have shown, in the important moments, that we are the best – and we will continue to do so.”
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
Flick hopes Yamal will return against Athletic Bilbao in Spanish Super Cup semi-finals at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah on Wednesday (7pm GMT).
If they win, Barca will meet Real Madrid or Mallorca at the same venue in Sunday’s final (7pm).
Their next home game is at home to Real Betis in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 on January 15.
