Lamine Yamal talks Flick, Lewandowski, Raphinha, racist abuse at the Bernabeu | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal has become one of the faces of this FC Barcelona team despite being just 17 years old. The 2024 Golden Boy Award winner has become an integral part of Hansi Flick’s setup and has been one of the driving forces behind their brilliant season so far.

The teenage La Masia gem recently sat down for an extensive interview with Mundo Deportivo, during which he discussed a myriad of topics, ranging from his ambitions at Barcelona to the possibility of ever joining Real Madrid in the future.

During the chat, Yamal also touched upon his relationship with manager Hansi Flick, revealing how the German tactician is in constant communication with the players.

“It has been great from the start. Even before I arrived here in the summer, we spoke while I was at the Euros. I was really surprised by the kindness he shows to all of us,” noted Yamal.

“He tries to talk to everyone, to explain his decisions, whether he substitutes you or leaves you out of the squad. He wants everyone to feel good. I think he is one of the best coaches I have had. I have not had many yet, but honestly, he is a ten out of ten.”

On substitution and frustration

At times this season, Lamine has been seen showing signs of frustration when subbed off during matches by Flick. Explaining that, the teenager remarked:

“To be honest, no player likes to be taken off. I do not either, obviously, but by the time I reach the bench, it is already behind me.

“I just think, ‘I hope the team scores another goal,’ and that is it. But I think it is normal. I want to play, I want to get more minutes. I see it as natural.”

Yamal, at times, has been frustrated with his substitution. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

When asked whether his frustration stems from his belief that he can influence the game’s outcome, he responded:

“Yes, because I feel like I am not tired, that I can keep playing, that I can make another move, and another, and another. But if the coach sees it differently, if he thinks I look fatigued, then I understand.”

During Barcelona’s Champions League match against Atalanta, Flick was seen speaking to Yamal after substituting him. The forward detailed what was said in that moment, stating:

“Yes, he explains things to me. He can tell when I am frustrated. He tells me the reason for the decision, reassures me, and reminds me that in football, every three days there is another match, so I will have the chance to prove myself again at the weekend.”

Relationship with Lewandowski, Raphinha

Lamine has formed a brilliant attacking trident with Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha this season, with their partnership in the final third being a major factor in Barcelona’s fine season so far.

However, there were times last season when there appeared to be some tension between the youngster and Lewandowski. Explaining the equation between the two, the La Masia gem said:

“Very well, we all get along very well this year. It’s true that maybe last year, the situation we were in, both the club and ourselves, were not in the best moment…

“In the end, veteran players like Robert, who has won the Champions League and everything, are more burnt out. And we, who are younger, come with energy. It’s normal, these things happen and this year I think you can see that we’re doing very well.

“Both Rapha and Robert. Rapha with me, me with Robert, me with Rapha… We’re perfect and we want to keep scoring goals.”

When asked if Lewandowski has ever given him feedback during matches, Yamal admitted:

“Maybe sometimes he saw something differently from me, but once I got home, I was completely fine. The next day, everything was normal again. It is just the heat of the moment.”

On racist abuse at the Santiago Bernabeu

Lamine scored at the Bernabeu this season. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde were on the receiving end of racist abuse earlier this season during Barcelona’s away game against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu – a game which the Catalans won easily with the youngster scoring.

“When you are winning 3-0 or 4-0, they can say whatever they want, but in the end, they cannot do anything. They see you playing, they see you winning in their stadium, they see how they cannot even get to the ball, and that is all they have left,” he said (via MD).

Continuing, he added: “As Balde said, if they call me ‘n****’ or anything else… I am and it does not bother me. We are proud. But obviously, it is wrong. This should not be defended. There is no place for it in football. They should be removed from the stadium.

“The federation knows about it, the whole world saw it, and now they must take the necessary action.”

Lamine also spoke about last season’s Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, when he seemed to have scored a goal only to see it get cancelled even though Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin appeared to clear the ball from inside the goal.

“I have already said it. For me, it was a goal, and a very clear one. When the opposing goalkeeper says he is not sure… that means it was a goal. If it were not, he would just say no. But it does not matter. These things happen,” he noted.

“Thankfully, this season I have already scored at the Bernabeu, so I have moved on from that.”

Expressing his surprise at the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga, the Barcelona wonderkid added:

“I thought the referee had a watch (referring to the watches that vibrate when the ball crosses the goal line, which are not used in La Liga). That surprised me. He didn’t have a watch.

“I don’t know how at the Bernabeu, with so many screens above and so many cameras, that at the end of a football match at any moment you say something and they’re already focusing on you… And I don’t know how there aren’t cameras near the goal.”