The renewal of teenage sensation **Lamine Yamal’s contract** at FC Barcelona, widely celebrated by fans as a sign of the club’s bright future, has unexpectedly ignited **friction behind the scenes**, causing discontent among some of the team’s most senior players—including veteran striker **Robert Lewandowski**.
While Yamal’s talent is undeniable, the **financial terms of his new deal** have reportedly raised eyebrows within the dressing room. At just 17, the winger is now earning a base salary believed to be **around €8 million net per season**, with lucrative performance-based bonuses that could push his total earnings **above €25 million annually** if certain individual and team targets are met.
Several established players are said to be **frustrated by the disparity**, particularly those who’ve had to negotiate under tighter financial conditions due to the club’s ongoing economic challenges.
Among them is **Raphinha**, who recently signed a contract extension on more modest terms, and **Frenkie de Jong**, who is in the middle of tense negotiations to extend his deal amid **continued pressure to accept a pay cut**.
### **Lewandowski’s Main Point of Contention: Penalty Duty**
However, the strongest reaction has reportedly come from **Robert Lewandowski**. The 36-year-old forward, who remains **Barcelona’s top scorer with 42 goals this season**, is said to have felt **undermined** by a particular clause in Yamal’s new contract—one that **grants the young star priority as the team’s penalty taker** starting next season.
This decision, allegedly signed off by both **president Joan Laporta** and **sporting director Deco**, effectively sidelines one of the most consistent penalty takers in European football. Lewandowski, who has historically excelled in high-pressure moments from the spot, views this as a breach of the club’s traditional hierarchy—where seniority and consistent performance typically earn such responsibilities.
### **Potential Dressing Room Fallout as Flick Takes Charge**
As newly appointed manager **Hansi Flick** prepares for his first season at the helm, he may now be faced with **an early test of leadership**—restoring harmony in a dressing room split over internal politics and wage disparities.
Flick, known for his tactical sharpness and man-management at Bayern Munich and the German national team, must find a way to **balance respect for experienced stars like Lewandowski** while **nurturing the explosive rise of young talents** like Yamal.
While Barcelona’s long-term vision may center on its next generation, mishandling this situation could jeopardize the delicate chemistry Flick will need to mount a serious challenge across all competitions.
