Barcelona must consider Lamine Yamal’s central role, just as Guardiola did with Messi

Lamine Yamal’s outstanding pass for Fermin Lopez in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid may have offered more than another glimpse of the Spain international’s exceptional ability. It also renewed the tactical question of whether the winger should be given a more central role.

Yamal collected the ball before threading a superb pass through to Fermin, who finished past Jan Oblak to secure an important victory. The assist underlined that Yamal’s threat is not limited to dribbling and carrying the ball from the right flank.

The 18-year-old remains Barcelona’s most important attacking outlet, but using him almost exclusively on the right may also restrict what he can offer. When he receives possession close to the touchline, he often faces a full-back supported by a midfielder or a recovering winger. Barcelona’s right-back cannot always provide the attacking support needed to create space.

Opponents are also increasingly prepared for Yamal’s preferred movement inside on to his left foot. They close the space early and use additional players to limit his options, leaving him to find solutions alone.

A move into central areas would allow him to begin attacks closer to the most dangerous spaces. From there, Yamal could see more of the pitch, distribute the ball, play passes behind the defence and shoot without first having to beat several opponents from the wing.

The clearest precedent is Pep Guardiola’s decision during the 2008-09 season to use Lionel Messi as a false nine rather than relying on him solely as a right winger. The idea was displayed to striking effect in Barcelona’s 6-2 victory over Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on 2 May 2009.

Messi dropped into the space between midfield and defence, while Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o attacked the areas left behind the defenders. Guardiola was not simply trying to increase Messi’s goal return; he was making him the centre of Barcelona’s creativity and the driving force of their attacks.

Hansi Flick has already explored a similar possibility with Yamal. In December 2025, the German placed him as a playmaker behind Ferran Torres against Real Betis. Yamal created two goals and scored a penalty, producing an impressive display in the number 10 role.

Flick said afterwards that he had discussed the idea with Yamal and the coaching staff, adding that the player liked the prospect of playing centrally. Spanish analyst Marcos Lopez has also predicted that Yamal will move into a more central position sooner or later, arguing that his qualities suit the role.

Playing behind the striker could free Yamal from the touchline and give him more opportunities to pass, move and shoot. It could also bring him closer to Pedri, encourage combinations in midfield and allow him to benefit from the movement of Raphinha and Barcelona’s other winger behind the opposition defence.

A recognised centre-forward could occupy both centre-backs, creating room for Yamal around the edge of the penalty area instead of requiring him to return to the wing during every attack.

There are risks, however. Yamal’s ability to isolate a full-back, dribble past him and cut inside is one of his greatest strengths. In central areas, he would face more players and could receive the ball with his back to goal rather than facing the defence.

Losing possession centrally would also leave Barcelona more exposed to counter-attacks. Guardiola’s change with Messi was a reconstruction of the attacking system around the team’s best player, not simply a positional adjustment.

Barcelona may now be facing a similar decision with Yamal, who is increasingly targeted by opponents and subjected to double marking. That does not mean he must become another Messi, or abandon the right wing altogether. But Fermin’s goal against Atletico showed that Yamal combines the vision of a playmaker with the skills of a winger.

The question for Flick is whether to continue maximising those qualities on the right, or show the courage to discover another dimension in Barcelona’s most gifted player.