Lamine Yamal leads global shirt sales in 2025
The global hierarchy of football icons is shifting. Shirt sales in 2025 reveal a surprising new name at the very top.
A new face at the top of football’s global market
As 2025 slowly winds down, the era in which Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominated every metric of global football is beginning to shift. Not only in trophies or individual awards, but also in cultural impact and commercial pull.
The numbers now point to a new name leading the game’s most powerful market: shirt sales.
Lamine Yamal tops global shirt sales in 2025
According to data published by Score 90, Lamine Yamal is the footballer who has sold the most jerseys worldwide so far in 2025. Since January, the FC Barcelona winger has moved an estimated 1.32 million shirts across the globe.
He narrowly edges out Lionel Messi, whose arrival and sustained impact at Inter Miami have driven 1.28 million units sold. Completing the podium is Robert Lewandowski, also of Barcelona, with 1.1 million shirts.
The figures underline a quiet but significant trend: Barça continues to dominate the commercial conversation, even as generational leadership shifts.
Mbappé, Vinícius and a star-studded top ten
Beyond the top three, the ranking remains packed with global heavyweights. Kylian Mbappé sits fourth with 1.02 million shirts sold, while Vinícius Júnior follows closely in fifth, just shy of the million mark.
The remainder of the top ten features elite international names: Giorgian De Arrascaeta (Flamengo), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Harry Kane, and Rodrygo. Even the lowest figure on the list stands at an impressive 779,000 units, highlighting the scale of football’s global merchandising power.
“I try to be myself”: Yamal’s rise beyond comparisons
Despite constant comparisons to the game’s legends, Lamine Yamal has consistently downplayed the narrative.
“Messi is the greatest player in history, and being compared to him means you’re doing things right. But I try to be myself,”
he has said whenever the topic arises.
At just 18 years old, the La Masia graduate is already setting records that extend far beyond the pitch. In 2025, no footballer has generated more demand at retail level.
The economic impact behind the numbers
The commercial implications are staggering. On Barcelona’s official store, a Yamal jersey retails at around €114. Based on Score 90’s sales figures, that translates to roughly €135 million in gross revenue generated through shirt sales alone in 2025.
A new king is emerging — and not just on the field.
Key facts
- Lamine Yamal leads global shirt sales in 2025 with 1.32 million units, ahead of Lionel Messi (1.28M) and Robert Lewandowski (1.1M).
- With an average retail price of €114, Yamal has generated an estimated €135 million in gross revenue for FC Barcelona.
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappé miss out on the podium, finishing in the lower half of the top ten and fourth place respectively.
