Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has told Lamine Yamal to work harder if he wants to reach the next level.
Yamal finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting to Paris St Germain attacker Ousmane Dembele earlier this month, but an injury to Dembele means they will not go head-to-head on Wednesday night in Barcelona.
Teenage sensational Yamal starred in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph before helping Barca complete a domestic treble last season, but Flick warned the 18-year-old against resting on his laurels.
✨ What you need to know about Ousmane Dembélé’s victory #ballondor pic.twitter.com/asmqUuDgPY
— Ballon d’Or (@ballondor) September 26, 2025
Flick told a press conference: “For me it’s like, this whole ‘super, super’, I don’t like this. He’s an outstanding player, but also in our team there are more players like this.
“And he is 18 years old and for me also he has to focus on working hard. It is not always easy.
“At a point with talent, you are OK and can go to this (high) point. To reach the next level, maybe one or two steps more – and I think he is able to do it – he has to work hard.
“This is what he also needs. It is not only about playing with the ball, it is also defending. This is also what we need from every player, not only from the others but also from a creative player with the ball like him. Maybe this makes the difference.”
Yamal started on the bench for Barca’s 2-1 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday – where Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford registered another assist.
Rashford has settled well in Catalonia and scored twice in Barcelona’s win at Newcastle last time out in the Champions League.
“I think the Newcastle match gives him a lot of confidence,” Flick said of Rashford.
“It is not always easy from another league to come to LaLiga. It is not always easy because the opponents are different, it is a different style of football, but he adapts well and is doing a good job.”
On PSG, Flick added: “For us it is a big challenge but we are looking forward to this match.”
