A year ago, Vinícius Júnior was the great dream of Saudi soccer. His youth, boldness, and status as a Real Madrid star made him the ideal target to lead Saudi Arabia's global project. Including the image of the World Cup they want to host.
But everything has changed. His performance this season has been inconsistent, his actions off the field have caused controversy... and in the Arab offices, they have decided to make a U-turn.
Saudi Arabia buys the aura of Lamine Yamal
Now the name that changes everything is Lamine Yamal. The jewel of La Masia, at just 17 years old, has become the global revelation. While Vinícius loses shine, Lamine gains everything: projection, charisma, media cleanliness, and an aura of legend to come.
Saudi Arabia is willing to break the market with the biggest offer ever made in the history of soccer.
The plan is as ambitious as it is colossal: 500 million for Barça for the transfer and 1 billion net for Lamine Yamal for five seasons. An astronomical, unprecedented figure that includes the exclusivity of the Saudi World Cup image and his conversion into the global face of the soccer of the future.
Cristiano Ronaldo's heir
Additionally, of course, he would have to play during this time in one of the greats of the Arab League. In Saudi Arabia, they see Lamine as the heir who will take over from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The offer that Florentino Pérez never wanted to hear for Vinícius now moves to Joan Laporta's door. And at Camp Nou, although they don't even consider selling Lamine, they know that the media and economic pressure will be brutal.
Lamine himself has said he feels "happy and culé." Now he must manage that temptation like never before seen in a player of his age.
The indecent proposal coming from Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has changed its plan. It wants youth, freshness, a global symbol. And Lamine Yamal has everything to be their new icon... as long as Barça allows it.
Laporta is not in a position to accept this offer after going down in history as the president who bid farewell to Leo Messi. But the club's economic health deserves to be studied. Barça would solve many of its problems with a net income of 500 million.
As in the movie, it's an indecent proposal. The issue has only just begun and will have many more chapters.