Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has applauded youngster Lamine Yamal for his Ballon d’Or podium finish last Monday softfootball can report.
The teenager’s 2024-25 campaign further highlights his importance to Barça. Yamal registered an outstanding 18 goals and 25 assists, spearheading the Catalan giants to both the La Liga title and Copa del Rey triumph.
Yamal etched his name in history by becoming the first player to win the prestigious Kopa Trophy in two consecutive years last Monday.
The Spanish forward then finished behind Ousmane Dembélé, the winner for a podium finish for the Ballon d’Or title.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, on his official X handle, Flick emphasised that narrowly missing out on the Ballon d’Or will serve as added motivation for the youngster, insisting that the future will present ample opportunities for him to claim the award eventually.
He said:
It’s a motivation for him in the coming years, and Lamine takes it positively. He will have chances to win the Ballon d’Or, for sure.
However, Flick has raised injury concerns for both Yamal and Gavi, who has been facing an injury that has kept him off the pitch for weeks. Yamal, on the other hand, has been absent from Barcelona’s last three matches due to injury, creating a void in Flick’s attacking setup.
Meanwhile, there have been more woes for the Barca team, who have also confirmed another long-term injury status for Gavi from an unresolved constraint. As reported on the club’s official X handle this afternoon, Flick added that:
Gavi’s injury is not easy because he brings us a lot of quality. But we will all help him get back to his level. He is very young, has his whole career ahead of him, and it’s important that he focuses on that.
Gavi is battling with an unresolved injured meniscus, which the club has confirmed will keep him sidelined for five months, as announced on the club’s website.
It was stated that:
First team player Pablo Páez Gavira ‘Gavi’ has had an arthroscopy to resolve a medial meniscus injury, which was sutured to preserve the meniscus. Recovery time is estimated at around 4-5 months.
Barcelona, who began their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Newcastle United courtesy of Marcus Rashford’s brace, will continue without the duo of Gavi and Yamal as they prepare for their sternest European test against PSG next week in Spain.
Yamal has played just three games for Barcelona this season while Gavi is yet to a minute due to the injury he has been battling since 2023.
