Barcelona boss Hansi Flick held his press conference this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Racing Santander.
The German was asked his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or – and Lamine Yamal’s chances of winning the award – as well as Gavi’s current exclusion from the team and the fact the 2029 Champions League will be held at the revamped Camp Nou.
Here, we analyse his responses…
FLICK WARY OF BALLON D’OR DISTRACTION
With the Ballon d’Or due to be awarded next month, the race is on to succeed Ousmane Dembele as the winner of the game’s most prestigious individual award. But Flick admitted his weariness at the current period of campaigning and expressed his eagerness for it to end.
Yamal is among the three leading contenders, along with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, to lift the trophy in London. As seen with Mbappe’s clumsy use of words, in which he offended France team-mate Dembele by describing himself as “the chosen one”, the race can divide dressing rooms and distract players from team matters.
Yamal has outlined why he believes he should win it and, while Flick is happy to back the teenage winger, he hinted he felt it was an unnecessary hindrance.
He said: “He’s young. I’ve said it before. He is honest, he has self-confidence and I like him. And for him this is something important. I will support him because it is impressive to have a player like that; and everyone wants to see him in the stadium, and they murmur when he goes one against one, or one against three.
“He has the opinion that he deserves it. I know that there are a huge number of top players and that it is not easy. They [the Ballon d’Or jury] will decide and I will be happy when they finish deciding it.”
FLICK BACKS GAVI TO PLAY A KEY ROLE FOR BARCELONA
Flick was spotted deep in conversation with midfielder Gavi prior to Tuesday morning’s training session.
The Spain international has played just seven minutes since coming off at half-time in the season opener against Elche due to a right knee injury.
Gavi has suffered with terrible injury problems in recent seasons – he played just 13 times last season because of surgery to repair a meniscus in that knee. He also missed more than 300 days after an ACL tear in late 2023, again in the right knee.
The recent arrival of international team-mate Rodri has added more competition in the centre of the field but Flick insisted Gavi remained a key part of his plans.
He said: “Of course, every player is important to us. We need each of them. Gavi is ambitious, he wants to play. He started against Elche, then he was injured but now the team is playing well and he must accept it. You have to manage the minutes. I don’t know what will happen during the season, but we need them all and with a positive mentality.”
FLICK WILL ATTEND 2029 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL – BUT IN WHAT CAPACITY?
Barcelona’s home stadium – Camp Nou – was this morning awarded the 2029 Champions League final.
Flick, who has a contract with the Catalan club until 2028, was asked if he thought Barca would be playing in the game, and if he would still be in his current role.
He replied: “I will be 100% be at the final in 2029 [if Barca get there] as a coach or as a Barça fan. In football you never know. I’m enjoying it, this club and this team are fantastic, but you never know.”
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