Lamine Yamal Feels Hurt Amid Barcelona Squad Changes as Hansi Flick Addresses Substitution Controversy

Lamine Yamal Upset by Barcelona's Plans to Sell Close Friends

Lamine Yamal, the young sensation at Barcelona, is reportedly upset due to the club’s intention to sell close friends Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Hector Fort. This comes as the teenager recently showed visible frustration during a substitution, which sparked intense discussions in the Spanish media.

Substitution Causes Stir

During Barcelona's commanding 5-0 win against Elche in La Liga, Yamal played only 65 minutes before being taken off. The 19-year-old’s body language as he left the pitch raised eyebrows and became a hot topic across Spain. On the popular sports show El Chiringuito, Josep Pedrerol shared that the club plans to talk privately with Yamal, saying they want to check if everything is alright after seeing photos showing his mood.

Concerns Over Departing Teammates

Journalist Jota Jordi, reporting for SPORT, suggests that Yamal’s frustration might be linked to the possible departures of his close teammates Balde, Casado, and Fort. The trio could be sold as part of Barcelona's financial balancing efforts. Particularly, Balde is rumored to be moving to Manchester United for a large fee. Jordi emphasized how close these players are, describing them as brothers to Yamal and said the situation deeply affects him.

Coach Hansi Flick Defends Yamal

Despite rumors of tension, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick dismissed any concerns about Yamal’s attitude ahead of their match against Athletic Bilbao. Flick explained the substitution was due to a minor health issue, saying Yamal had a headache and was not at full fitness after just a few training days following a break.

"He had a minor issue, a headache," Flick told reporters. "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."

Flick praised Yamal's contribution in the victory, highlighting his defensive effort and an assist to Raphinha. He added that finding a way to get Yamal back to full strength is important because the player offers many options and is exceptional on the field.

A Champion’s Spirit

The coach also spoke about Yamal’s competitive nature, suggesting that the player’s visible frustration when substituted should be seen as passion rather than bad behavior. Flick believes this hunger to stay on the pitch shows why Yamal is a special talent.

"It’s normal that he wants to play. 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," Flick concluded.