Barcelona came agonizingly close to reaching the Champions League final before a crushing defeat to Inter Milan brought their campaign to a heartbreaking end. In the midst of this disappointment, one name stood out once again — Lamine Yamal. The young star shone at San Siro, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s brightest rising talents. After the match, he shared a heartfelt message with fans: “I will keep my promise — we will bring the Champions League back to Barcelona.”
Amid his message of hope, Yamal also pointed to what the club must do to make the next leap forward. He believes that Barcelona needs to sign two or three world-class players, specifically naming Nico Williams as a top target.
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The Athletic Bilbao winger has been one of La Liga’s breakout stars this season, known for his blistering pace, technical skill, and confident style. Yamal views Nico not as a competitor, but as a complementary force in attack. In his view, Nico’s inclusion would give Barça much-needed balance on both flanks — something the team has sorely lacked at key moments this season.
While Raphinha has impressed at times, the squad’s lack of attacking depth was evident in the final stretch — especially against Inter. Injuries to key players like Lewandowski and a lack of trust in options such as Ansu Fati left the coaching staff short on solutions. Yamal believes that Nico Williams could fill that void perfectly.
So far, Barcelona has not initiated formal talks with Athletic Bilbao, and Nico’s market value — estimated around €60 million — makes the deal challenging, especially given the club’s financial constraints and salary cap restrictions.
Still, nothing is off the table, especially after the team’s European exit. Club president Joan Laporta has hinted at the possibility of major reinforcements if the club can create financial room through outgoing transfers. Nico is well-regarded within the club’s sporting leadership, although he is not currently a top priority.
Yamal’s connection with Nico goes beyond the field, and this chemistry could provide an added boost to a potential partnership at Camp Nou.
While Yamal has made it clear that he wants to be at the heart of Barça’s next chapter, he also knows that such ambition demands a team capable of competing at the highest level. His push to bring in Nico Williams sends a powerful message: the talent is there — now it needs proper support. The ball is in Barcelona’s court. Will Laporta listen to the voice of the team’s emerging leader?
