Flick targets Champions League glory before Barcelona’s 2029 final

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says he hopes to win the Champions League before the 2029 final is staged at Camp Nou, although he cannot say whether he will attend that match as a coach or a supporter.

“I will be at Camp Nou for the 2029 Champions League final,” Flick said. “I do not know whether I will be there as a coach or as a fan. Nobody knows what will happen.”

Barcelona’s ambition, he added, was to lift the trophy before 2029. The club’s stadium is due to host the final that year, while Bayern will stage the 2028 final.

“Our ambition is to win the Champions League before 2029,” said Flick. “Organising the 2029 final is good news for the club, and when this stadium is complete, it will be amazing.”

Flick was speaking before Barcelona host Racing de Santander in La Liga on Wednesday, with the game representing the sixth round of the season.

The German also addressed Lamine Yamal’s comments about deserving to win the Ballon d’Or. Yamal has said he and Kylian Mbappe are the best players in the world and that he merits the award.

“He is young, direct and confident in himself,” Flick said of Yamal. “I like that because it is reflected on the pitch and benefits us.”

Asked about Mbappe, Flick added: “I do not talk about Kylian Mbappe. I would have preferred Lamine not to talk about that, but I respect his confidence and support him. I also believe Yamal deserves it.”

Flick said his priority was the next match rather than setting or reaching statistical milestones. Barcelona have won their opening five La Liga fixtures this season.

“I am not focused on achieving records, but on winning the next game against Racing de Santander,” he said. “On Wednesday we will play at home against a team that is performing well. They are good in attack and are particularly focused on winning second balls.”

Barcelona’s Tuesday training session was dedicated to recovery, meaning Flick will decide shortly before the match how to manage his squad.

“Tuesday’s training was for recovery and was not particularly demanding,” he said. “We will see on Wednesday who starts and who we give more or fewer minutes to. Everyone wants to play and be in the starting line-up, but we have to manage the situation.”

Flick also discussed the position of Alejandro Balde, who has had limited involvement since the start of the season and was considered a possible departure during the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

“We currently have five full-backs, two on the right and three on the left,” Flick said. “Nobody expected Xavi Espart to play at this level. Balde needs to show his best, and he is already doing that in training.”

“Balde is not happy because he wants to play and is not getting enough minutes. He was a starter and an important player during the past two years, but things change. There is a different dynamic now and we have to manage this situation.”

He added: “Alejandro is performing well and I am happy with him. It is not an easy situation; it is competition for a starting place.”