Lamine Yamal Feels Hurt as Barcelona Faces Internal Changes; Hansi Flick Addresses Substitution Concerns

Lamine Yamal, the young Barcelona talent, is reportedly upset by the club's recent moves involving close teammates. The teenager’s mood has drawn attention following his substitution during a commanding 5-0 victory against Elche in La Liga.

Substitution Raises Questions

Although Barcelona started their league defense strongly, Yamal played only 65 minutes of the match. His body language upon leaving the field sparked speculation among Spanish media outlets. On El Chiringuito, Josep Pedrerol mentioned that the club planned to speak directly with Yamal after seeing some unexpected images, aiming to check on his well-being.

Concerns Over Departing Teammates

Some suggest Yamal’s visible frustration isn’t just about the substitution. Journalist Jota Jordi from SPORT linked the issue to the possible sales of Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Hector Fort this summer, as the club works to balance its finances. Balde, especially, has been connected with a move to Manchester United. Jordi described these players as like brothers to Yamal and said their potential exit deeply affects him emotionally.

Hansi Flick Explains the Situation

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick dismissed rumors of any conflict or bad attitude from Yamal before their game against Athletic Bilbao. Flick gave a medical reason for the substitution, saying the player was not fully fit due to a minor headache. He noted that Yamal had only recently returned to training after three weeks off, which explains why he wasn’t at full capacity.

"He had a minor issue, a headache," Flick said. "Lamine is a genius, it’s understandable. He’s had three weeks off and has only trained a few days. It’s normal that he’s not at his peak."

The coach praised Yamal’s performance during the match, emphasizing his defensive effort and his assist to Raphinha. Flick called Yamal’s contribution valuable and highlighted his pressing in the first goal and the setup for the second.

"We need to find a solution so he can get back to his best," Flick added. "I really value his 60 minutes. He pressed very well on the first goal and on the second he passed the ball to Raphinha. He gives us more options. He helped us a lot and he’s doing well. We’ll see how he progresses, but we need him because he’s exceptional."

A Champion’s Mindset

Flick also addressed Yamal’s competitive spirit, suggesting that the player’s frustration when substituted should be seen as a sign of determination, not poor discipline. According to Flick, Yamal’s hunger to stay on the pitch reflects his drive to win.

"It’s normal that he wants to play," Flick said. "When you’re a true champion, you always strive to win the next title. That’s his attitude. Every player on the team is hungry to win a third consecutive league title. We’re ready and we’ll fight for it."