FC Barcelona: Hansi Flick reveals his plan to manage Lamine Yamal

Hansi Flick wants to protect Lamine Yamal without disrupting his momentum as the Barça prodigy shines

Europe Today at 10:30

Add Foot Africa on Google

FC Barcelona: Hansi Flick reveals his plan to manage Lamine Yamal

Hansi Flick wants to carefully manage Lamine Yamal’s playing time while preserving the enjoyment and momentum of his young attacker.

At just 19, Lamine Yamal has already become almost indispensable at FC Barcelona. This situation is forcing Hansi Flick to find the right balance between making the most of his player and the need to protect his body during a particularly demanding season.

Asked about managing the minutes of his No. 10, the German coach acknowledged that it was not a simple task. “It’s not easy to answer this question because Lamine is an exceptional player. I am fully aware that we need to manage his minutes carefully, but the most important thing for him is to enjoy playing football.”

🚨🗣️ Hansi Flick on how to manage Lamine Yamal's minutes: "It's not easy to answer this question, because Lamine is an exceptional player. I am fully aware that we have to manage his minutes carefully, but the most important thing for him is that he enjoys playing football." "That's why I don't want to halt this positive dynamic he's in, although at the same time I am aware that we must manage his minutes and maintain his physical balance."
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) October 16, 2026

Flick above all does not want to disrupt his momentum

Barça’s coach therefore does not want to impose systematic rest on his winger. “That is why I don’t want to slow down the positive momentum he is enjoying. But at the same time, I know that we need to manage his minutes and preserve his physical balance.”

The caution is all the more understandable given how much Yamal has played since the start of the season. But his performances make every rotation difficult to justify: with Barça, the Spain international has already recorded 8 goals and 9 assists in 9 matches in all competitions.

He once again played a major role in the 4-1 victory away to Galatasaray in the Champions League, providing two assists and making several individual breakthroughs. The performance earned praise from Flick and his teammates. The German coach notably praised his ability to create chances for others.

The Ballon d’Or in the back of his mind

This management also comes just days before the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony scheduled to take place on 26 October in London. Yamal is among the leading contenders for the award after a year marked by his performances for Barça and his World Cup triumph with Spain.

His candidacy continues to gain strength. His statistics and influence on the game have strengthened his case over the past few weeks. For Flick, the challenge is now clear: continue to benefit from a confident Yamal without pushing him beyond his limits.