Hansi Flick praises Lamine Yamal’s response after Ballon d’Or
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Citizen Digital
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, third in the Ballon d’Or behind Harry Kane, has responded well to his disappointment, according to manager Hansi Flick. The young Spain international is set to return against Alavés after Barcelona’s defeats by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said on Friday 30 October that Spanish forward Lamine Yamal had “reacted very well” after finishing third in the 2026 Ballon d’Or, won by Harry Kane. The German coach praised the 19-year-old’s focus in training ahead of the Liga match against Alavés, Citizen Digital reports.
Flick said Kane deserved the trophy, while judging Yamal to be at the level required to win it. He also stressed that the winger’s reaction was beneficial to the team and that his mentality was “very good” for the group.
Barcelona remain top of Liga with a two-point lead before Saturday’s trip to Alavés, after two defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, 4-2 in the Champions League, and then Real Madrid, 2-1 in the league. The Catalan club had previously won its first 11 matches of the season in all competitions, according to Citizen Digital.
Hansi Flick’s comments come after Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or victory, announced on 27 October, and after Lamine Yamal promised that his time would come.
