Flick’s Confidence in Yamal
Hansi Flick, the head coach of Barcelona, expressed his strong belief that young talent Lamine Yamal will one day take home the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, highlighting the anticipation surrounding this year’s selection, set to occur at a Paris gala on Monday evening. At just 18 years old, Yamal is among the top contenders for this year’s title, competing with the likes of Ousmane Dembélé from Paris Saint-Germain.
“We will certainly witness Lamine receiving this accolade in the future.”
Barcelona’s Nominations
In addition to Yamal, several other Barcelona players have earned nominations in various categories for the Ballon d’Or, including Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Raphinha for the men’s award. Furthermore, the women’s division sees six players from Barcelona nominated. Flick himself is recognized in the race for Coach of the Year after leading the squad to titles in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Supercopa last season.
Respect for the Ceremony
Flick is slated to join the Barcelona contingent traveling to Paris, emphasizing that attending the ceremony goes beyond merely winning awards. This stance is particularly poignant given Real Madrid’s decision to boycott the event previously upon discovering that Manchester City’s Rodri would take home the top award over Vinícius Júnior.
“For me, being there is a matter of respect since we are nominated. Every trophy holder deserves their recognition. I want to appreciate the event and show honor to the winners—this is fundamentally important to me,”
Injury Updates
Additionally, Yamal, who has also been nominated for the Kopa Trophy as the world’s best player under the age of 21, will make his presence felt in Paris, although he will miss the LaLiga match against Getafe this Sunday. He has been sidelined due to a groin injury that has kept him out of Barcelona’s previous two matches.
“With Lamine, we’ll assess his condition daily. He is diligently working on recovery,”
Flick mentioned regarding Yamal’s situation. Another player, Alejandro Balde, continues to recover from a hamstring injury, with Flick suggesting he will return shortly. Meanwhile, they are faced with a decision regarding Gavi, who has been out since August due to a meniscus issue. A determination is needed on whether Gavi will undergo surgery or continue with non-invasive treatment.
“We need to remove ambiguity on his condition soon, perhaps by early next week,”
Opportunity for Rashford
Yamal’s ongoing recovery offers an opportunity for Marcus Rashford to continue in the left attacking position for the upcoming match against Getafe. Rashford impressed during the midweek Champions League victory over Newcastle, making a notable impact by scoring two goals for Barcelona. Flick recognizes this as a pivotal moment for Rashford, stating that building on his newfound confidence and high-intensity play is crucial for his development in the team.
“Adapting to this club’s philosophy is key, and like all players, he must continuously aim to improve. I fully believe in his potential and will support his growth every step of the way.”
