Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has confirmed that he has spoken with teenage star Lamine Yamal following the winger's controversial celebrations during the club's La Liga title parade. The Catalan giants secured the championship over the weekend with a 2-0 victory against fierce rivals Real Madrid, sparking jubilant scenes across the city.
Yamal's Actions Under Scrutiny
During the open-top bus parade through Barcelona, Yamal was seen holding up a shirt bearing the message "Thank God I'm not Madridista," a direct jibe at Real Madrid supporters. Additionally, the 18-year-old was spotted celebrating with a Palestine flag, drawing widespread attention and mixed reactions.
Flick, addressing the media, revealed that he had discussed the incidents with Yamal to emphasise the responsibilities that come with being a professional footballer. "These are things that I don't normally like. I have talked about it with him and I have told him that if he wants to do it is his decision, he's 18 years old. We are dedicated to playing football and we have to take into account what people expect from us," the German coach stated.
Flick's Pride in the Team
Despite the controversy, Flick expressed immense pride in his squad's achievements this season. "When I see people on the street crying with emotion you realize why we are here, and this for me is the most important thing, the first thing. I feel proud because it's about the players, they're playing a fantastic season that hasn't been easy, there have been a lot of injuries. We've improved a lot over the last two months, it's fantastic and it was the key to our win against Madrid. We are the team with the fewest goals conceded, nobody would have imagined it," he added.
Yamal has been instrumental in Barcelona's success under Flick, contributing 24 goals and 18 assists in all competitions this campaign. The teenager also spoke passionately about the bond between the team and its supporters. "It's incredible. The fans are always with us, on the important days and also on the less important ones. This is the club of our lives. We'll always be here for them. We love them. We have to value every title and every year that we win because it's not easy. We've gone through some very difficult years, but now we're enjoying ourselves a lot," Yamal said.
Looking ahead, Yamal expressed optimism about the team's prospects in the Champions League. "You think it's a Monday, people in Barcelona have work, but they're still here with us. A Champions League parade? Definitely yes. My parents taught me that a man always keeps his word… and we'll bring it back to Barcelona."
