Barcelona Boss Flick not impressed by the criticism of Yamal’s goal celebrations

Barcelona wing player Lamine Yamal led to controversy with his royal goal celebration last week when he pretended to crown himself after scoring against Mallorca, but manager Hansi Flick on Friday deposited the criticism of his 18-year-old winger.

The gesture seemed to anoint Yamal as the new king after drawing up his first goal of the season in the 3-0 victory of Barcelona over Mallorca, where the teenager had inherited the iconic number 10 shirt in the past by many club greats.

Yamal was recently examined, with a Spanish group with disabled rights that threatens legal steps on reports of people with dwarf -like who were hired last month as entertainment at his 18th birthday party.

But Flick is not surprised by the external sound around his player.

«I don’t care what other people say about my team. Lamine is only 18 years old, but he is a fantastic football player,» said Flick reporters prior to Saturday’s game in Levante.

«I will help him grow in the right way. But what I can see here, his behavior is very good.»

Robert Lewandowski is expected to return to the team after the veteran striker, which became 37 on Thursday, missed the opener of La Liga 2025-26 with an injury.

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However, he will compete with Ferran Torres to lead the line.

«We will see, we have some thoughts about how the game goes and what we can change, but in the end we have several options at number nine,» said Flick.

«Ferran scored a goal (against Mallorca) and it is the best argument to play again. We will try to record Robert if possible.»

Flick also suggested that England forward Marcus Rashford could be deployed as a striker after he had made his Barca debut as a second half replacement.

«Rashford gives us some more options. He is more familiar with the number 11 (position on the wing), but his strengths, his first touch, his speed – he is really useful for our game,» said Flick.

«We can enjoy a fantastic Marcus Rashford, 100%this season.»

Flick said he hopes to have all players register next week, while Barcelona navigates La Liga’s financial limitations.

The German was also insisting to keep midfielder Fermin Lopez, who had eight goals and 10 assists last season, in the midst of transfer speculation.

«I don’t want to lose players now because I think it will be a difficult season and we need this quality from Fermin. He did really good last season and even when we started the new season,» said Flick.

«I am happy with him, the players – I want to keep everyone here because the options we have now are very good.»

Published on August 22, 2025