What were you doing at 18 years old? Lamine Yamal is lighting up the world stage and gradually marching towards football's throne left behind by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the most talented star that Barcelona's La Masia academy has uncovered since Messi and could be about to use that stardom to move into a stunning £12.5m mansion.
It seems a matter of when and not if Yamal will win the Ballon d'Or. The teenager finished as high as second in the 2025 competition, with Ousmane Dembele's Champions League win with Paris Saint-Germain enough to give him the edge.
Lamine Yamal for Barcelona
In 2026, however, Yamal could become the youngest-ever player to win the coveted award. And if recent months are anything to go by, European football will be well aware of the winger's place at the top.
He recently stole the headlines in controversial fashion once again. This time, it was rivals Real Madrid who were left angered when Yamal seemed to suggest that their players rob and moan ahead of the El Clasico. In the end, it was those at the Bernabeu who got the last laugh as Madrid secured a 2-1 victory and the teenager failed to score or assist.
Thrust into the headlines at just 18 years old, it's no real surprise that Yamal hasn't acted with the greatest maturity at times. Like most top players, that will come with age - especially under a manager like Hansi Flick.
In the meantime, the world will continue to stay at his feet and his €17m-a-year (£15m) pay cheque will continue to arrive as he sets his sights on a stunning mansion.
Inside Lamine Yamal's potential £12.5m mansion
In a recent Instagram post, Yamal seemed to confirm plans to buy a £12.5m mansion which was previously owned by popstar Shakira and former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique. The stunning property initially featured three separate buildings when built in 2012, spreading across 3,800 square feet.
It included both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, private tennis courts and a recording studio used by Shakira, but has been up for sale since Pique and the singer split in 2022. Now, although one of the smaller buildings has been sold following an initial £12.5m market listing, Yamal could land the mansion for £9.5m.
gerard-pique
Gerard Pique for Barcelona
Reports have suggested that the Barcelona star plans to move into the property with his cousin and a close friend, before renovating it to his own lifestyle.
Other reports have claimed that the mansion includes six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a view which looks over the Mediterranean. So, all in all, it's fair to say that Yamal can't have many complaints.
It's another string to the bow of football's next biggest star, who is wasting no time before spending the money gained from his recent Barcelona contract. Although, it does remain to be seen whether he puts Shakira's recording studio to use...
Where Yamal ranks in 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings