Lamine Yamal surpasses Messi and Cristiano as the best-selling footballer in 2025

T he year is 2025 and with it comes a transition that seemed inevitable: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are beginning to relinquish their historic dominance , not only on the big sporting stages, but also in the realm of global impact. Individual awards, media prominence and now also the merchandising market reflect a generational shift. In this context, one name stands out: Lamine Yamal .

According to data published by the specialized portal Score 90, the FC Barcelona winger is the footballer who sold the most shirts worldwide so far this year . Since January 2025, Yamal has accumulated 1.32 million units sold , a figure that puts him ahead of two absolute legends of the sport.

Messi and Lewandowski complete the podium

In second place in the ranking is Lionel Messi, with 1.28 million shirts sold, driven by the global phenomenon that continues to generate his presence at Inter Miami and in MLS. The podium is completed by Robert Lewandowski , also a Barcelona player, with 1.1 million , confirming the enormous commercial weight that the Catalan club maintains internationally.

In fourth place is Kylian Mbappe, who has sold 1.02 million shirts , while Vinicius Junior is in fifth place with figures close to one million . The rest of the top ten is made up of globally influential figures such as Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Harry Kane and Rodrygo . The minimum sales in the ranking is around 779,000 units

An economic phenomenon that smiles on Barcelona

Beyond the symbolic prestige, Lamine Yamal's leadership also translates into concrete numbers . In the official FC Barcelona shop, a shirt of the young talent is marketed for a value close to 114 euros . If these prices are crossed with the sales data published by Score 90, the La Masia youth player has generated approximately 135 million euros in gross revenue in 2025 alone.

Being compared to Messi means you're doing well

At just 18 years of age, Yamal is not only one of the great promises of world football, but also a global brand in full expansion . "Messi is the best player in history and to be compared to him means that you are doing things right, but I try to be myself," said the player on more than one occasion.

The throne is no longer disputed only on the court. And in 2025, Lamine Yamal is the new king off the court as well.