Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will only grow stronger after narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or.
The 18-year-old winger, who played a pivotal role in Barça’s domestic treble last season, finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé at Monday’s gala in Paris. Yamal did, however, take home the prestigious Kopa Trophy for best young player.
“I think he sees it the right way—it’s motivation for the coming years,” Flick told reporters. “Dembélé deserved it, but Lamine accepted the result positively and is more determined to show his quality this season. Maybe next year he can be an option for the Ballon d’Or.”
Injury Update
Yamal will miss Thursday’s trip to Real Oviedo due to a groin problem, as Barcelona look to cut Real Madrid’s five-point lead in La Liga. While the teenager has been decisive in the past, Flick insisted the squad remains strong enough to cope.
“I never think about who we are missing, only about the team we have. Every starting XI we put out can win matches,” he said.
Gavi’s Long Road Back
Midfielder Gavi faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery this week. The 21-year-old, who previously endured nearly a year out with ligament damage in 2023, is expected to miss four to five months.
“We have to be careful with him,” Flick stressed. “He has a huge career ahead of him. He plays with his heart and emotion for this club, and we’ll give him all the support he needs to get back to his best.”
