Barcelona chief warns hype could overwhelm Spanish-Moroccan star Lamine Yamal after Ballon d’Or storm

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has called for calm over the handling of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, stressing the club’s need to carefully manage his development after his runner-up finish at the Ballon d’Or.

Yamal, who is of Moroccan and Equato-Guinean heritage through his parents, sparked headlines on Monday night when he publicly expressed frustration at finishing second to former Barcelona winger and PSG star Ousmane Dembélé.

The 18-year-old’s comments ignited debate over the pressure placed on the club’s brightest prospect, and Laporta moved quickly to defuse any tension.

“His father is very passionate, but we must remember that Lamine is only 18 and all this can overwhelm him a bit,” Laporta told reporters.

“He would have liked to win, like Raphinha or Pedri, who is the best in his position. But Lamine manages expectations well thanks to the maturity he shows.”

Laporta highlighted the extraordinary nature of Yamal’s achievements to date, pointing out that finishing second in the Ballon d’Or voting at such a young age was remarkable.

“Lamine is the most talented player in the world, he has won two consecutive Kopa Trophies, something no one has ever achieved, and he is competitive, professional, and works incredibly hard in training. Everyone imposes expectations on him, but he faces them well.”

Yamal’s swift rise has made him a cornerstone of Barcelona under Hansi Flick, and the club is intent on ensuring the teenager’s development stays on track amid the growing spotlight.