Yamal’s Huge Salary Reveals Laporta’s True Intention — He Wanted Messi Gone

Frenkie de Jong’s contract renewal with Barcelona is undoubtedly great news for the club and its fans. Not long ago, rumors linked him with a move to Manchester United, but the deal never materialized. Behind the scenes, however, there was tension — Barcelona had delayed part of his salary and hoped to either offload him or convince him to forgo the unpaid amount.

De Jong, of course, refused to compromise. After lengthy negotiations, the two parties finally reached a renewal agreement. According to La Vanguardia, Barca insiders revealed that the delayed payments from previous seasons were settled last year and this year, while the remaining sums originally due until 2026 will be spread over his new three-year deal. His salary now stands between €18–20 million before tax (€9–10 million after tax), placing him among Barca’s top earners alongside Pedri and Raphinha.

For De Jong, staying at Barcelona was always the priority. With his salary issues resolved, both sides can now move forward. But this saga also sheds light on another, more revealing story: judging from Lamine Yamal’s massive top-tier salary, it’s clear that Laporta’s decision to let Messi go wasn’t about finances — it was deliberate.

When Messi returned to Barcelona after the Copa América, everyone believed his renewal was a done deal. Yet after months of delay, Laporta abruptly declared it impossible, citing the club’s “wage cap.” In reality, it was merely a staged excuse to justify a decision already made. Messi, who didn’t have a strong management team at the time, could do little but accept it.

Some claimed Messi’s salary burdened the club. But now, with 18-year-old Yamal reportedly earning around €40 million before tax, that argument collapses. If the wage cap truly limited Barca, how could such a salary be justified? It completely disrupts the club’s pay structure.

What makes it even more ironic is that Messi had agreed to cut his salary drastically — down to about €15 million after tax — and even accepted delayed payments. Yet he was still forced out. Today, Yamal’s astronomical salary proves one thing: Laporta didn’t “have to” let Messi go — he wanted to.