Flick looking forward to Ballon d'Or debate ending

While Flick says all of Barca is behind Yamal's Ballon d'Or bid, he is eager for the talk surrounding the award to stop.

Ahead of Barca's LaLiga clash with Racing Santander, Flick said: "It's not easy. I'm only talking about Lamine, not other players. He's an honest guy, and I think it's good that he's so self-confident.

"Maybe I'd prefer he didn't do this [speak in the media], but the Ballon d'Or is important to the players. He's honest, it's his feeling, and I support him, of course.

"This situation is always like this. Right now you can't win titles, only matches. You have to work hard now to reap the rewards later.

"For me, the most important thing is winning titles with the team, but individual titles are important too. And you only win those by working hard.

"He's young. He's honest, he's self-confident, and I like him. And this is important to him. I'll support him because it's amazing to have a player like that; everyone wants to see him in the stadium, and they murmur when he takes on a man one-on-one, or one-on-three.

"He believes he deserves it. I know there are a huge number of top players and it's not easy. [The Ballon d'Or] will be decided, and I'll be happy when they've made their decision.

"He's our player. He's playing well, and that's the situation. I agree with that. When you see him train, you can understand why we support him."

Yamal has scored six goals in LaLiga 2026-2027, his best return after the first five games of a league season.

He has scored in three consecutive games but has never done so in four in a row in the competition.