Flick backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or but refuses to discuss Kylian Mbappe

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says Lamine Yamal deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, while insisting the club must carefully manage playing time before the La Liga meeting with Racing Santander in the sixth round.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, as reported by Spanish newspaper Marca, Flick discussed Barcelona’s fitness levels and preparations for the final game before the upcoming international break.

“Today was another recovery day and we did not put a very heavy workload on the players,” Flick said. “Tomorrow we will see who is in good condition to start. We have to distribute the minutes according to each player’s situation. Everyone wants to play and start, but we will have to manage that.”

Asked about Yamal’s belief that he should win the Ballon d’Or, Flick said: “It is certainly not easy to answer because I can speak about Lamine, but not about Mbappe. I think Yamal is honest and has confidence in himself. He proves how good he is and he is an exceptional player.

“Perhaps I would have preferred him not to say it, but he speaks openly and says he wants to win the Ballon d’Or. That is very important to him. He has that feeling, we have to accept it and I will support him.”

Flick also backed the teenager’s ambition to win collective honours with Barcelona, saying Yamal’s self-belief was reflected in his performances.

“He is a young player, he is honest and confident in himself, and I like that,” Flick added. “He also shows that confidence on the pitch. We all want him to continue playing as he is now, and that comes from the confidence he has in himself.

“That is Lamine. I will support him because it is incredible to have a player like him. If he believes he deserves the Ballon d’Or, then I also believe he deserves it. He is an exceptional player.

“I know there are many top-level players and that has to be taken into consideration, but they will decide and I will be happy when it is over,” he said with a laugh.

The Barcelona manager was also asked about Alejandro Balde’s limited involvement. He said competition for places had increased, with five centre-backs in the squad and Joao also able to play in defence, while the emergence of Espart had not been expected.

“Balde has to give his best and he is doing that,” Flick said. “He is not happy about not playing or not getting minutes. He was used to being a regular starter, so it is normal that he is not happy.

“Things change. New players and young players arrive, new things happen within the team and they have to be managed. He is doing well and I am not unhappy with him at all. Everyone is competing and we always have players who can play in that position, but managing it is the most difficult part.”

Flick said Yamal’s improved scoring figures were partly the result of his fitness and growing belief in front of goal.

“He has enormous quality and is currently in very good physical condition,” he said. “He now knows he can score and is showing it in matches. He is getting more chances, and his confidence in finishing is incredible. He is in a great moment and playing at a high level.

“I always say that when you see him in training, you know what will happen in the match. I really value what I am seeing from him in training at the moment.”

Asked whether Barcelona were campaigning for Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or, Flick replied: “And why should we not? He is our player and we support our players. That is always the case. I support players who have confidence. We are playing well at the moment, they are our players and I see what they do every day in training, so of course I can support them without any problem.”