Hansi Flick sends warning to 'super' Lamine Yamal ahead of PSG clash

Martin Macdonald

• 30 Sep 2025 11:00 CDT
• 2 min read

News

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has warned Lamine Yamal that he must continue to improve despite his emerging superstar status.

The young Spaniard is only 18-years-old but is already one of the stars of European football and finished second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting.

Yamal has missed a bit of action this season due to a pubic injury but made his comeback at the weekend via the substitute's bench.

He came on and made an immediate impact, recording an assist for Robert Lewandowski's winning goal versus Real Sociedad.

Barcelona will face their toughest test of the campaign so far this week when they face Champions League defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase.

Flick was asked about Yamal's superstar status heading into the game, and the German was full of praise for his player but insisted he was by no means the finished product.

“I think that this ‘super’, ‘super’... I don't like it. He's exceptional, but there are other exceptional players in the team," the Barca boss said in the pre-match press conference.

"He is 18 years old and also has to focus on making an effort. To move to the next level, one or two more steps, you have to make an effort, talent is not enough.

“It’s not just about playing with the ball, it’s also about defending. It’s what we need from all players, not just him. He’s a great player with the ball and that’s what makes the difference"

Revenge not on Barca's mind

The last time Barcelona faced PSG, the Parisians emerged victorious 6-4 on aggregate in a Champions League quarter-final tie when Xavi Hernandez was still manager.

Flick, who took over from Xavi, insists revenge is not on Barca minds.

“We are FC Barcelona and we like to be favourites in the Champions League, but we know that it is a very long road and that we have a spectacular opponent in front of us," he stressed.

“I’m not thinking about the last match against PSG because we have to focus on this one. The past is different from the present moment. Everything has changed completely."

Barca host PSG on Wednesday evening.

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