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Hansi Flick has come to the defense of Lamine Yamal's critics, reminding them that the Barcelona sensation is still only 18 years old, after his demeanor drew scrutiny following Saturday's victory against Atlético Madrid.
The win, only sealed when Robert Lewandowski netted in the dying moments, was vital in capitalizing on Real Madrid's shock defeat at Mallorca, stretching Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to seven points. Yamal finished the match without a goal or assist despite being arguably the standout performer on the field.
He seemed more visibly irritated by that fact than pleased with his side's three points.
The root of Yamal's "anger," as Flick described it after the weekend fixture, is that the teenager has now gone four games without a direct contribution for both Barcelona and Spain. The topic was raised ahead of the Catalans' Champions League quarterfinal clash with Atlético, prompting Flick to publicly back his young star.
"I already said on Saturday after the game that he tried everything. He had the ball, we switched wings ... Lamine is 18 years old, and for me, he's an incredible player," the coach told the media.
"Sometimes, when you watch the replays, you see that what he does is remarkable, but he's only 18, and sometimes he gets frustrated when I take him off or when he's faced four or five defenders, taken a shot, and missed. It can be tough when he doesn't score, but he's a passionate player, and I back him fully."
Yamal Is Still Developing, Maturing
Given everything he has accomplished over the past three seasons, it's easy to overlook just how young Yamal actually is. At his age, most players are only just beginning to break into senior-level football.
At not even 19, Yamal has featured 172 times for Barcelona and Spain, racking up 114 goal contributions. These are extraordinary numbers that even the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't come close to matching at the same stage of their iconic careers.
Under the weight of such intense scrutiny, Yamal has been forced to grow up and mature far faster than any of his contemporaries.
"He's on the right track, and we're helping him develop in the right environment," Flick explained.
"Not everything he does needs to generate a huge amount of noise. I know everyone has their eyes on him because he's a fantastic player, but he's only 18. I've told him that he's allowed to make mistakes, and that I'll protect him. He'll be one of the best, or the best, players in the world in the future."
Yamal Can 'Complete' Soccer Aged 19
Last season, Yamal was a key figure in Barcelona's historic domestic treble, helping guide the club to La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Spanish Super Cup glory for the first time in a single campaign. He entered 2024–25 on the heels of a standout performance as Spain claimed the European Championship title.
Now, the young star looks set to win La Liga for a third time within just a few weeks, having already claimed the Super Cup once more in 2026.
Barcelona are chasing their first Champions League title in 11 years and have a genuine shot at it, while Spain are among the frontrunners to win the 2026 World Cup this summer.
Yamal will turn 19 just six days before the World Cup final, and it is not entirely out of the question that he could find himself having won every major honor in football—domestic league, domestic cup, domestic super cup, club continental title, international continental title, and World Cup—by the time that match in New Jersey concludes.
Should Yamal end this season with both Champions League and World Cup winner's medals to his name, the Ballon d'Or would almost certainly follow.