Barcelona’s Hansi Flick calls for greater loyalty after Dro Fernandez exit reports

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed disappointment on Saturday after reports that talented teenager Dro Fernandez is on the verge of leaving the club, saying youngsters should “live for” the club’s colours.

The 18-year-old has a €6m release clause in his contract, and Spanish media reported that he told the club this week that he plans to leave in January rather than extend his contract.

Flick said he did not want to discuss the matter, but indicated he believed people who advised the player were blamed for his decision, with Dro’s teams including Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund linked.

“I don’t want to answer… as a coach you give a lot of energy to the players, you give them confidence, you believe in them, of course you help them to grow and improve,” said Flick.

«But then there are people around this player. I want to wait until it’s done. If they say ‘now I’m going to another club’, ask me again. But not now.»

Barcelona’s La Masia academy is regarded as the best in the world and has produced a string of stars who are part of the current squad, including Spanish internationals Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.

Flick sent a thinly veiled message to Dro, who has made eight appearances for the club, and other youngsters who may turn heads in the future.

“What I want to say to the young players of La Masia is that we are Barca and one of the best teams in the world,” the coach continued.

READ ALSO | Mane hopes to guide Senegal to another title in the Africa Cup of Nations

«We give them the opportunity to train with us, to grow every day with the best players in the world. We give them the opportunity, we give them the support, believe in them, the trust.»

«If you want to play for Barcelona, ​​do it 100 percent with all your heart. This is what I want to say to everyone who is with us now, or with us in the future, this must be 100 percent.»

«These colors, you have to live for them, this is what I want to see. I don’t want all the others, this is what I can say.»

The German coach suggested Dro, who made his debut in September, would make a mistake by leaving Barca.

“Sometimes you don’t agree with what they do, but they’re 18, they’re old enough to make the decisions, they have people around them… now I don’t want to talk anymore, it’s enough,” Flick added.

Waiting for Rashford

Flick said no decision had yet been made on whether the club would make Marcus Rashford’s loan from Manchester United permanent in the summer.

The England international has impressed on Barca’s left flank this season after being frozen out at Old Trafford.

«(Sporting director) Deco and I always talk about our team, what we can do… Marcus’ performance has been very good so far, but we have to manage it. It is Deco’s job and the club’s job to do things for next season, but we have to wait,» said Flick.

“We have more time, many months, many days, many weeks, that’s how it is.”

Another player linked with a move away from Barcelona is goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has fallen behind Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny in the pecking order.

The experienced German is about to be loaned to neighboring country Girona until the end of the season.

«It’s Marc’s decision… he’s our captain, he’s been an idol of this club for the last 10, 12 years. It’s his decision, we’ll accept what he wants,» Flick said.

La Liga leaders Barcelona visit Real Sociedad on Sunday and Flick said winger Raphinha was left with a doubt before the match after the Brazilian did not train with his teammates on Saturday.

Published on January 17, 2026