Cynthia Ezegwu
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick says teenage star Lamine Yamal will use his Ballon d’Or disappointment as motivation to reach greater heights.
Yamal, 18, finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris but won the Kopa Trophy for best young player.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Flick said the winger had taken the result in good faith and would be inspired to push further.
“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 said.
“Dembele deserved it also, it’s a vote and a lot of things can happen. He accepted it well and he’s motivated to show it this season. Maybe next season he will also be an option for the Ballon d’Or.”
Yamal was instrumental last season as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
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The teenager, however, will miss Thursday’s La Liga clash against Real Oviedo with a groin injury. Barca trail leaders Real Madrid by five points after Los Blancos defeated Levante on Tuesday.
Flick downplayed Yamal’s absence, stressing confidence in his squad. “I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have,” he said. “Every starting XI can win matches. It’s not a big problem.”
The German coach also confirmed that midfielder Gavi faces four to five months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday. The 21-year-old had previously missed nearly a year with a ligament tear in November 2023.
“We have to take care of him, step by step,” Flick said. “He’s 21 years old and has a huge career in the next 10 to 15 years. He has a big heart, a lot of emotion, and lives for this club. We’ll all support him to reach his level again.”