Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes Lamine Yamal’s Ballon d’Or disappointment will serve as fuel for an even more remarkable season. The teenage sensation finished second to Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé at Monday night’s glitzy ceremony in Paris, but was consoled with the Kopa Trophy for best young player in the world.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Flick said the 18-year-old winger has already turned the page and is channeling the setback into motivation. “I spoke with him yesterday, and he sees it the right way. For him, it’s motivation for the next years,” the German coach said.
“Dembélé deserved it, it’s a vote, and many things can happen. Yamal accepted it well and is motivated to show what he can do this season. Maybe next season he will be an option for the Ballon d’Or again.”
Yamal played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign last season, helping the Catalan giants secure La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. His dazzling dribbles and clutch performances have made him a cornerstone of Flick’s project at Camp Nou, and the coach says the recognition of multiple Barcelona players in global award lists is a sign of the club’s growth. “It shows how strong last season was, and that’s the standard we want to match this season,” Flick added.
Read also: Dembele Wins the 2025 Men’s Ballon d’Or
However, Barcelona will have to cope without their teenage prodigy when they face Real Oviedo on Thursday. Yamal is sidelined with a groin issue, but Flick insists the team has enough quality to get the job done. “I never think about which player we are missing, I focus on the team we have,” he said.
Barca are currently five points behind leaders Real Madrid, who defeated Levante on Tuesday. Midfielder Gavi is also out for four to five months after knee surgery, adding to Flick’s injury concerns. The coach said the club will take a careful approach with the 21-year-old to ensure he returns at full strength.
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