Lamine Yamal Feels Hurt Amid Barcelona's Squad Changes; Hansi Flick Addresses Substitution Concerns

Lamine Yamal, the young star of Barcelona, is reportedly upset by the club's recent plans to sell close teammates Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, and Hector Fort. The teenager’s frustration became apparent after a substitution during a recent match, stirring widespread discussion in Spain.

Substitution Fuels Speculation

During Barcelona’s commanding 5-0 win over Elche, Yamal played only 65 minutes and appeared visibly annoyed when taken off the pitch. This caught the attention of Spanish media, raising questions about his mood. On the sports program El Chiringuito, Josep Pedrerol revealed that the club intends to talk to Yamal directly to understand his feelings after seeing images they hadn’t noticed before.

Concerns Over Departing Teammates

Some believe Yamal’s attitude was linked solely to the substitution, but journalist Jota Jordi from SPORT suggested his unhappiness might relate more to the potential exits of his close friends Balde, Casado, and Fort. These players may be sold this summer as Barcelona works to balance finances. Balde has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, intensifying the emotional strain on Yamal, who views them like brothers.

• Alejandro Balde: Potential transfer target for Manchester United
• Marc Casado: Possibly leaving to aid club finances
• Hector Fort: Also likely to depart

Hansi Flick Backs Yamal

Despite swirling rumors, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick dismissed any notion of conflict or poor attitude from Yamal ahead of their match with Athletic Bilbao. He explained the substitution was due to a minor headache and said the player was not fully fit after returning from three weeks off.

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

Flick also praised Yamal’s impact in the victory, noting his defensive effort and assist for Raphinha. He added they need to find a way for Yamal to reach top form again, calling him exceptional and vital to the team.

A Champion's Spirit

The coach interpreted Yamal’s visible frustration during substitution as a sign of his competitive nature rather than disrespect. Flick believes this hunger to stay on the field reflects what makes Yamal special.

"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."