The start of the season has brought FC Barcelona more than one important internal conversation. Among them is the one Hansi Flick has had with one of the most promising players in the squad: Lamine Yamal.
The young winger, who at 18 has become a symbol of the new culé generation, is experiencing a moment of maximum expectation both on and off the field.
At the club, however, there is concern that the media attention surrounding the academy product could end up leading him astray. His talent is indisputable, but Barça wants everything around him to be focused solely on sports.
The coach's message
According to sources close to the locker room consulted by MB, Flick has personally delivered a clear and direct message to Lamine. This is not a one-off reproach, but a warning.
The goal is to protect his development and prevent outside attention from becoming a constant distraction.
The German coach knows that young people at the elite level live with unusual public exposure. He wants his protégé to handle that pressure with maturity.
He has asked him to make headlines only for what he does with the ball. To set aside any off-field situations that could generate unnecessary headlines.
The importance of the number 10
In the conversation, Flick also reminded him of a detail that is not minor: Lamine Yamal wears FC Barcelona's number 10. That jersey not only implies football quality, but also responsibility, exemplary behavior, and total commitment to the team.
The 10 is a symbol in culé history. From Maradona to Messi, it has been worn by players who defined an era and who took on the burden of leading both on and off the field. Flick wants Lamine to understand that wearing that number entails responsibility, leadership, and discipline.
A career to protect
The German coach is not the only one in the organization who shares that concern. The board and the coaching staff know that Barça's future depends on shielding the development of its youngest talents. Lamine Yamal, for his ability to change games and generate excitement, is a gem who can't afford distractions that would slow his growth.
Flick's intention is clear: he doesn't seek to limit his personality or take away his freedom. He only wants to teach him to better manage his timing and the image he projects.
In an environment like the current one, where every move is analyzed instantly, maturity off the field can be as decisive as performance on the field.
At Camp Nou, they trust the message has gotten through. Lamine has ahead of him a season that could establish him as one of Barça's and the Spanish national team's key figures. Everything will depend on whether he keeps focused, because he already has the talent.