Is Lewandowski leaving Barcelona? The key clause that makes the striker hesitant to renew

Barcelona aims to make Lamine Yamal one of their highest-paid players, second only to Lewandowski. His current low salary doesn't reflect his on-field performance, necessitating a significant increase. The club must manage its finances to secure this rising star’s long-term future.

Robert Lewandowski will remain at FC Barcelona for another season. The announcement is expected following the upcoming international break. This renewal was anticipated, given Lewandowski’s initial four-year contract signed in July 2022, running until June 30, 2026, with performance-based clauses.

Negotiations between Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, and then-FC Barcelona Director of Soccer, Mateu Alemany, included a tiered salary structure. His salary started at €20 million gross in the first year, rising to €26 million in year two, and €32 million in year three before dropping back to €26 million in his final year.

According to Sport, a key clause stipulated that Barcelona could terminate the contract if Lewandowski didn’t play at least 55% of matches (starting or playing a minimum of 45 minutes) in his third season. Lewandowski automatically triggered the renewal clause during the La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, surpassing the required appearance percentage.

At 36, Lewandowski remains a crucial part of Barcelona’s attack. In his first season, he won the Pichichi Trophy with 23 goals. He currently boasts 21 goals across all competitions this season. His most prolific season was in 2020-21 with Bayern Munich, under manager Hansi Flick, scoring 41 goals.

Yamal’s renewal on hold until legal maturity

Barcelona is also working on Lamine Yamal‘s contract renewal, although it’s delayed due to legal restrictions. The young prospect can’t sign a new deal until he reaches the legal age, meaning negotiations between Barcelona and his agent, Jorge Mendes, will finalize a new contract effective July 13, 2025.

Currently, Yamal, at 17, is contracted until 2026 with a release clause of €1 billion. The club is confident about retaining him; both parties are keen to continue their relationship. Yamal recognizes Barcelona’s crucial role in his development and sees it as the ideal environment to continue showcasing his skills.

However, a new contract must reflect Yamal’s exceptional progress and status within the team. He’s expected to become one of the highest-paid players, second only to Lewandowski, who has an exceptional contract due to age and circumstances following Lionel Messi’s departure.