Hansi Flick Backs Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal To Bounce Back After Ballon d’Or Setback

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick says teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will only grow stronger after missing out on the Ballon d’Or to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

Lamine Yamal, 18, came second in the vote for world football’s most prestigious individual prize at Monday’s Paris gala. He didn’t leave empty-handed though, claiming the Kopa Trophy as the best young player of the year.

Flick, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, said he was impressed with how the winger handled the result.

“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,” the coach explained.

“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.”

Yamal was instrumental in Barcelona’s treble-winning campaign last season, starring in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. But he will sit out Thursday’s clash at Real Oviedo with a groin problem as Barça try to keep pace with leaders Real Madrid, who opened a five-point gap after beating Levante.

Flick is not fazed by his absence. “I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have. Every starting XI can win matches. It’s not a big problem,” he said.

Barcelona are also reeling from the loss of midfielder Gavi, who underwent knee surgery on Tuesday and will be out for up to five months. Flick praised the 21-year-old’s character. “He’s a player with a big heart, full of emotion, and he lives for this club. We will support him until he’s back at his best,” the coach said.

Source: Naijanews