Hansi Flick Confides in Lamine Yamal’s Golden Future
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has expressed his firm belief that Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d’Or in the future. The young talent, who is only 18 years old, is among the candidates for this year’s prestigious award, the ceremony for which will be held in Paris next Monday.
Yamal, along with Ousmane Dembélé from Paris Saint-Germain, is one of the favorites to take the award. Flick, when asked about the player’s chances, stated: “One day we will see this, that Lamine gets this trophy.”
In addition to Yamal, Barcelona has other nominees in various categories, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Pedri, who are also vying for the men’s Ballon d’Or. The Blaugrana club also stands out with six players nominated for the women’s award.
Hansi Flick, for his part, is nominated for the Coach of the Year award, after a successful season that included winning LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
Flick will lead the Barcelona delegation in Paris, and emphasizes that the club’s presence at the Théâtre du Châtelet is a gesture of respect. “For me, being there is an honor because we are nominated,” added Flick. “Everyone who gets this trophy deserves it. I want to enjoy it and show respect to the winners. This is crucial for me.”Lamine Yamal was arguably Barcelona’s best player, as they won LaLiga and reached the Champions League semi-finals.Yamal, who is also nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which awards the best under-21 player in the world, will not be available for the LaLiga match against Getafe on Sunday. The young footballer is recovering from a groin injury and has been absent from the last two matches against Valencia and Newcastle United.
“With Lamine, we have to see day by day,” Flick explained. “We have to wait. He’s working hard, receiving treatment every day. It’s a good process.”
Alejandro Balde is also still out with a hamstring injury, but Flick is hoping for his quick return. On the other hand, the club will have to make a decision about Gavi’s meniscus injury.
“We have to make a decision,” said Flick. “I hope we see it soon. Maybe early next week we’ll know more; then we’ll see how the decision is made.”
The absence of Yamal could give Marcus Rashford a new opportunity to play on the left wing of Barcelona’s attack against Getafe.
Rashford stood out in the middle of the week, scoring his first goals with the club with a brace in the Champions League victory against Newcastle, but Flick claims he will continue to strive to get the best out of the English striker.
“Now he’s confident with the two goals,” Flick said about Rashford. “Our style, how we want to play, focuses on high intensity and this is what I also want to see from him.”
“When you arrive at this club, sometimes it’s new, you have to adapt to this philosophy, now is the right time. I believe in his quality.”
“You have to work hard and improve every day. You have to learn, with the situation, with the club, what is necessary, what we need from him. I will push him 100% and I will also support him.”
