Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal didn’t hold back in response to coach Hansi Flick’s recent comments criticizing his team’s performance.
Following a disappointing draw against Rayo Vallecano, Flick took aim at the players, suggesting their egoism was hindering the team’s success. Yamal, who has quickly become a key player for both Barça and the Spanish national team, believes Flick’s remarks were unfair.
Flick’s ruthless critique came after a weekend match where he stated, ‘Last year, we played and worked as a team, and the most important thing is that there is no ego, as it harms the team’s success.’ The words seemed to ruffle feathers, particularly for the young talent Yamal, who felt the need to set the record straight during an interview with TVE.
“Criticism Doesn’t Bother Me”
Yamal calmly responded, ‘We’ve taken 7 points from 9 away, which is no small feat. Flick was right about our mistakes, but this isn’t about ego.’ At just 18 years old, the Catalan prodigy is already stepping into a leadership role, confidently handling media scrutiny.
‘Criticism doesn’t bother me. I listen to my close circle, not what’s said outside,’ he declared, proudly wearing the number 10 jersey after waiting for his friend Ansu Fati to leave the club.
Ambitious and driven, Yamal has clear goals: ‘Winning the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or is an objective. Any player who says otherwise is lying.’ He also pays tribute to his idols, stating, ‘Neymar deserved a Ballon d’Or, and Messi is the greatest of all time.’
As a fixture in the national team, Yamal cherishes every moment, recalling his debut goal against Georgia as unforgettable. He firmly believes Spain has the potential to be world champions, saying, ‘We have a team capable of winning it all.’
