Yamal's Ballon d'Or Snub Will Fuel His Ambition

Lamine Yamal and Hansi Flick during training 

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or disappointment will drive him to new heights.

“We have to take care of him, we have to go step by step, because he is 21 years old and he has a huge...”

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick believes Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or disappointment will fuel his determination to reach new heights. The 18-year-old winger finished second to Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele in the prestigious award but took home the Kopa Trophy for best young player. Flick praised Yamal, saying, “He's a player with a big heart, a player with a lot of emotion, a player who lives for this club.”

Flick emphasized the importance of supporting Yamal, stating, “We have to take care of him, we have to go step by step, because he is 21 years old and he has a huge career in the next 10 to 15 years.” The coach also believes Yamal has taken the Ballon d'Or defeat in stride, saying, “I spoke with him yesterday, and I think he sees it in the right way, so it's for him also motivation for the next years.”

“I spoke with him yesterday, and I think he sees it (in the) right (way), so it's for him also motivation for the next years,” Flick told a news conference.

“Dembele, he deserved it also, it's a vote and a lot of things can happen and I think he accepted this in a good way, and he's motivated to show it this season.

“Maybe next season he also will be an option for the Ballon d'Or, but I really appreciate that a lot of players from our team are in this situation, and it's great for our team. It shows a lot how your last season was, and this is also our goal for this season.”

Lamine Yamal's absence will be felt by Barcelona as they face Real Oviedo on Thursday, due to a groin issue that's been causing him discomfort. Despite his injury, Barcelona have managed to secure wins against Valencia and Getafe in his absence, with a convincing 3-0 victory over Getafe showcasing their strength. Yamal's recovery is progressing well, and the club is optimistic about his return for the league match against Real Sociedad next Sunday.

Other Injuries: Barcelona will also be without Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Fermin Lopez (groin), Alejandro Balde (hamstring), and Gavi (knee).

Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, is prioritizing Yamal's health, particularly with the crucial Champions League match against PSG looming on October 1. The coaching staff is working to ensure Yamal is fit and ready for that game, which could be a turning point in the season.

“I'm really happy, I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have,” said Flick.

“Which players are the options for being in the starting XI... I'm happy with my team. It makes no difference, every starting XI can win matches. It's not a big problem.”

Gavi's latest setback is a significant blow to both Barcelona and the Spanish national team. The 21-year-old midfielder underwent knee surgery on Tuesday to address a meniscus injury and is expected to be sidelined for four to five months. This latest injury comes just after Gavi recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, which kept him out of action for nearly a year in November 2023.

Gavi's absence will be deeply felt by Barcelona, particularly in midfield where his energy, pressing, and creativity are crucial. Coach Hansi Flick will need to rely on other players like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and İlkay Gündoğan to fill the gap. The club may also consider bringing in reinforcements in the January transfer window to maintain competitiveness in La Liga and European competitions.

“We have to take care of him, we have to go step by step, because he is 21 years old and he has a huge career in the next 10 to 15 years,” said Flick.

“He's a player with a big, big heart, he's a player with a lot of emotion, he's a player who lives... I wouldn't say dies, for this club, but he's like this and I'm really happy to have him on my team.

“Of course we are waiting until he's back, it's not easy for this team, because he has a huge quality for us, but every one of us will support him, will help him to reach his level again, and this is our goal now for him.”

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— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 24, 2025