Barcelona’s 19‑year‑old winger Lamine Yamal responded positively after the 2026 Ballon d’Or was awarded to England’s Harry Kane, with his manager Hansi Flick saying the youngster handled the disappointment well ahead of the club’s upcoming La Liga clash with Alavés on Saturday.
What did the coach say about Yamal’s mentality?
Flick noted that while Kane “deserved it”, Yamal is “at the level required to win this award”. He added, “I’m very proud of Lamine. He reacted very well and was very focused in training. That’s the way to respond. His mentality is very good for the team.”
How has Barcelona performed recently?
The Catalan side started the season with an unbeaten run of eleven matches across all competitions, lifting the La Liga trophy and seeing Yamal celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph. Their momentum stalled after a 4‑2 defeat to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, followed by a 2‑1 loss to Real Madrid in the league last weekend, a match in which Kylian Mbappé’s influence was highlighted.
What does the upcoming match mean for the title race?
Flick stressed the importance of securing three points against Alavés, describing the opposition as “a team that know how to defend well”. He affirmed Barcelona’s confidence, saying, “The team is playing well and we believe in our strengths. I’ve seen a good training session and a positive mood. We have to show that tomorrow.”
Where does Barcelona stand in the league?
Despite the recent setbacks, Barcelona retain a two‑point lead at the top of La Liga ahead of their forthcoming encounter with Atlético Madrid. Flick admitted he dislikes losing but reminded that the campaign is “a long road”. He concluded, “It’s at the end of the season that we can win trophies. We have to deal with it. We could have won, but we have to accept defeat and learn from it.”
The upcoming home game against Alavés offers Yamal and the squad a chance to put any lingering disappointment behind them and reaffirm their championship ambitions.