Flick backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d'Or: 'Why shouldn't we campaign for him?'

Hansi Flick closed ranks with Lamine Yamal on Thursday and backed his Ballon d'Or candidacy without hesitation. Speaking ahead of the Copa del Rey tie against Racing Santander, the Barcelona head coach praised the young winger's honesty, highlighted his prolific start to the season and openly questioned why the club should not push his case for the award.

• Flick publicly supported Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or candidacy.
• The coach valued the winger's self-esteem and honesty after his remarks about Mbappé.
• He highlighted how improved positioning has boosted Yamal's goalscoring numbers.
• Flick recalled that Yamal won two titles with Barcelona and the World Cup.
• Joan Laporta and Rafa Yuste have also shown their backing for the player in recent days.

Barcelona dressing room rallies behind Lamine Yamal's Ballon d'Or case

Lamine Yamal's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or have become one of the main talking points around Barcelona. After the player himself made his case and Joan Laporta and Rafa Yuste showed their support, Flick joined the growing movement backing the academy graduate as a serious contender for the trophy.

The German coach did not hesitate when assessing his player's personality. He pointed out that Yamal is honest, has real self-belief and has shown since August just how exceptional his level is. For Flick, those qualities explain why the number 10 sees himself as a genuine threat in the race for the award.

How Flick reacted to Lamine Yamal's comments on Kylian Mbappé

Lamine Yamal's recent remarks placing his season above Kylian Mbappé's sparked an intense debate. Far from reining in his player's message, Flick backed it without hesitation. He believes the winger's confidence is legitimate and that targeting the Ballon d'Or is only natural for a talent of his calibre.

He has the confidence and wants to win the Ballon d'Or, which is normal. As a player, it is an important trophy. He is honest because it is what he feels, and we accept it. I support him, of course.

The Barcelona boss framed those words within Yamal's direct personality. In his view, the winger says exactly what he feels without filters, an attitude the coaching staff accepts and shares. The manager's backing for his star was as explicit as the support shown by the board in recent hours.

The goalscoring evolution of Lamine Yamal this season

Flick also analysed Yamal's leap in performance at the start of the campaign, with seven goals and two assists already on his record. After pausing to think for a few seconds, the coach explained that the winger is in excellent physical shape and has learned to pick his positions better inside the box.

The manager noted that when the ball travels down the left flank, Yamal drifts into the middle and multiplies his scoring chances. His confidence in front of goal allows him to turn almost any approach into danger, a factor that has lifted his output compared to previous seasons.

The impact of Lamine Yamal on Barcelona's attacking play

Beyond the numbers, Flick stressed the player's ability to lift the crowd. His willingness to take on defenders one-on-one, even when facing two or three opponents, draws an immediate reaction from the stands. That magnetism, according to the coach, makes Yamal a unique footballer within the squad.

The manager admitted it is incredible to have a player with such characteristics and that his commitment to him is total. Flick's support for Yamal's candidacy leaves no room for doubt, and he backed it up by recalling the titles his player has won over the past year.

Flick defends Barcelona's Ballon d'Or campaign for his star

Flick was emphatic when addressing those questioning whether a Barcelona campaign for Yamal makes sense. The German asked why the club should not promote the candidacy of a player who has won two titles with Barcelona and also lifted the World Cup.

Despite his conviction, the coach acknowledged that the competition is fierce and that the shortlist features plenty of top-level players. Even so, he made clear that he will be happy once the final decision is announced, regardless of who walks away with the award.