Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has responded well to missing out on the Ballon d’Or, according to manager Hansi Flick, who praised the teenager’s focus before Saturday’s LaLiga meeting with Alaves.
The 19-year-old finished third in Monday’s vote for the world’s best player, behind Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe. Yamal had helped Barcelona win LaLiga and was also part of Spain’s World Cup-winning team.
“Harry Kane deserved it, but you already know what I think about Lamine. He’s at the level required to win this award,” Flick said on Friday.
“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.”
Yamal is set to have an opportunity to move on from the disappointment when Barcelona host Alaves, with the LaLiga leaders seeking a response after two prominent defeats.
Barcelona had made a perfect start to the season, winning their opening 11 matches in all competitions. Their run ended with a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last Tuesday.
That result was followed by a 2-1 home loss to Real Madrid in La Liga last weekend, with Kylian Mbappe inspiring the visitors.
Flick said victory against Alaves was now the priority.
“The most important thing tomorrow is to win,” he said.
“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.
“Alaves are a team that know how to defend well, but we’re Barca, and we want to show our best version.”
Barcelona remain two points clear at the top of LaLiga ahead of the match.
Although Flick acknowledged that he dislikes losing, the German said his players needed to accept the setbacks and focus on the longer campaign.
The Barcelona manager said the outcome of the season, rather than individual results at this stage, would determine whether the club won silverware.
“It’s at the end of the season that we can win trophies,” he added.
“We have to deal with it. We could have won, but we have to accept defeat and learn from it.”
