Highest paid female footballer still earns less than 17-Year-Old Yamal despite World Cup and Ballon d’Or wins

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.

Highest paid female footballer still earns less than 17-Year-Old Yamal despite World Cup and Ballon d’Or wins

Ayoola Kelechi 19:49 - 17.09.2024

After winning the Women's World Cup, the UEFA Women's Champions League and the Ballon d'Or the newly-crowned highest paid female footballer in the world still earns less than half of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal

Barcelona’s star midfielder Aitana Bonmatí recently signed a record-breaking contract extension, making her the highest-paid female footballer in the world.

However, despite her monumental success, including winning the Ballon d’Or in 2023, Bonmatí’s new deal sees her earning less than 17-year-old rising star Lamine Yamal, who is still in the early stages of his Barcelona career.

Bonmatí’s record-breaking Barcelona deal

Bonmatí recently committed her future to Barcelona by signing a four-year contract that runs until 2028, with ESPN reporting that her new contract makes her the highest-paid player in the women’s game.

Barcelona Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati | Imago

Bonmatí’s contract extension comes after her remarkable achievements, including winning the Ballon d’Or after helping Spain claim the Women’s World Cup and starring as Barcelona were crowned Champions of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Aitana Bonmati won the player of the tournament at the 2023 World Cup | Imago

While salaries in women’s football are not publicly disclosed, top earners in leagues like the NWSL and WSL typically make between €400,000 and €600,000 annually, and Bonmatí’s new deal reportedly surpasses these figures, making her the highest-paid female player in the world.

Yamal’s youth contract still outpaces Bonmatí

Despite Bonmatí’s success and record-breaking contract, she still earns less than half of what Barcelona’s teenage sensation Yamal takes home.

Lamine Yamal of Spain and Barcelona | IMAGO

The 17-year-old has quickly made a name for himself with seven goal contributions in just five La Liga matches this season and played a starring role as Spain were crowned European Champions this summer.

While Yamal’s talent has already earned him a €1.5 million per year contract, sources suggest his salary, currently around €28.9k per week, is about to increase as he continues to develop into one of football’s brightest stars.

Lamine Yamal celebrates after helping Spain win the Euro 2024 title | IMAGO

Though Yamal is still on a youth contract, his earnings already eclipse Bonmatí’s record-breaking salary in the women’s game, again highlighting the ongoing wage gap between men’s and women’s football, even as female athletes continue to push for equal pay.