Lamine Yamal can win 2026 Ballon d’Or, says Barcelona boss Flick

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes Lamine Yamal has done enough to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or after the teenager helped his side beat Feyenoord 5-1 in the Champions League at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Yamal was among the scorers in another impressive attacking performance from Barcelona, with Raphinha finding the net twice and Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus also scoring. Sem Steijn replied for Feyenoord, but the result was never in serious doubt as Barcelona continued their strong start to the season.

Flick was quick to use Yamal’s latest contribution as evidence of why he should be considered for football’s most prestigious individual award.

“He’s my player, of course I believe that,” Flick told reporters. “He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He’s an exceptional, special player. Anyone who watches his matches knows he deserves it.”

Yamal also created another dangerous opportunity from a free-kick, while Flick said Barcelona’s attacking options had offered different qualities during the match. Dani Olmo, the manager explained, brought greater control to the team, whereas Yamal provided a more direct threat.

Raphinha was another major influence on the victory. The Brazil forward’s two goals continued his excellent form, and Flick praised the intensity he brings to Barcelona’s attack.

“With Raphinha, his intensity is great,” Flick said. “When he attacks from deep and picks up that pass from Pedri, he’s great.”

The victory extended Barcelona’s positive beginning to the campaign and provided further evidence of the attacking quality available to Flick. However, the German says the team’s progress has also been built on the standards set in training.

Barcelona’s session after their game against Valencia was particularly impressive in his view.

“The training sessions have been of very high quality,” he said. “The one we had after the Valencia game was the best of the year.”

Flick remains determined that the five-goal win should not disguise the areas Barcelona still need to address. While pleased with the performance, he believes improvement must continue away from matchdays.

“I like what I see, but I also see situations we need to improve,” he added. “The most important thing, as I say, is training. Because that’s where you improve.”

Barcelona will now return to domestic action in La Liga. Their next fixture is away against Levante at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia on Sunday, when Flick’s side will look to maintain the momentum created by their Champions League display.

Yamal’s performance against Feyenoord has added to the early-season discussion surrounding his Ballon d’Or prospects, while Raphinha’s two-goal contribution further underlined the depth of Barcelona’s attacking threat.