Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has sent a message to young star Lamine Yamal. He praised the 17-year-old but also gave him a clear warning. Flick said that talent is not enough and that hard work and discipline are also important.
Flick made these comments during an interview with the club’s official magazine. He called Yamal a “genius” and said the club must help him grow.
“He’s 17 years old, we have to help him, (hence currently) everything is fine.” Hansi Flick said about Yamal. ” (but) If he wants to play the next 15 years at the highest level, he (Yamal) needs to train very well and prepare mentally as well.”
Yamal had a great 2024–25 season with Barcelona. He played in 35 league matches, scored 9 goals, and gave 13 assists. His creativity and pace were key to Barcelona’s attack. Despite being young, he stayed disciplined and played with maturity.
Right now, Yamal is on holiday in Brazil with Neymar. The two have been seen playing footvolley and basketball together. Fans enjoyed watching their friendly games and shared the videos online. Yamal has always admired Neymar, and this trip is special for him.
Flick spoke about this too. He said Yamal is smart but must remember that football is not only about having fun.
“He’s smart.,” Flick said. “(But) not everything is about enjoyment, you also have to work, and (even) players with their talent must do it,”
Hansi Flick led Barcelona to a domestic treble in his first season. They only missed the Champions League title, losing to Inter Milan in the semifinals. Still, Flick said his goal is not perfection but steady progress.
Barcelona now faces the challenge of staying on top. Real Madrid remains a strong rival. Players like Yamal will play a big part in the club’s future. Hansi Flick’s message is clear—talent is just the start. To stay at the top, hard work and the right attitude are essential.
Apart from Hansi Flick, Cristiano Ronaldo also gave an advise to Lamine Yamal
In the second week on May, Cristiano Ronaldo shared a message for Lamine Yamal after Portugal beat Spain in the UEFA Nations League final. The match ended 2-2 after extra time. Portugal won on penalties. Yamal was substituted before the shootout after a quiet performance.
Ronaldo also shared advise like Hansi FLick, and said people should not put too much pressure on the 17-year-old. He said Yamal is very talented but still young.
“He’s (Yamal) going to win many titles, collective and individual,” Ronaldo said about Yamal. “He is only 17 years old, a boy with a lot of room for progress.
Ronaldo called Yamal a “phenomenon” and asked to give him room to grow. He believes the young player has a long career ahead.
“He (Yamal) has a very long career ahead of him,” Ronaldo said. “He will surely win the Nations League many times,”
Yamal has already done well with Barcelona. This game was not his best, but that is normal at his age. Ronaldo’s message was clear—Yamal needs time, support, and patience to keep improving.
TNT Sports did not pick Yamal as favorite for Ballon d’or
TNT Sports did not choose Lamine Yamal as their top pick for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. This was surprising because Yamal had a strong season with Barcelona. He won La Liga and the Copa del Rey and played well throughout the year. So, many Barcelona fans believe Yamal deserves the Ballon d’Or.
Still, TNT Sports picked Vitinha as the main candidate. Vitinha won the French League, the French Cup, and the Champions League with PSG. He also helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League. TNT Sports said he played an important role for both PSG and Portugal. His team success and individual performance made him a top choice.
The Club World Cup could still affect the final decision. The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced in September. Until then, debates will continue. Yamal is still young and has many chances ahead. This season showed he is already one of the best young players in the world.