Flick backs Yamal for Ballon d'Or and questions omission

Hansi Flick has thrown his support behind Lamine Yamal in the Ballon d'Or debate, saying the Barcelona teenager deserves to win the award, while also insisting Raphinha should have been included among the nominees.

The discussion intensified after the latest 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist was announced on Tuesday afternoon. Among those named were defending holder Ousmane Dembele, as well as Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane. The absence of both Pedri and Raphinha, however, prompted a strong reaction, particularly in Spain.

Flick's clear stance on Raphinha

Speaking after Barcelona's 5:1 victory over Feyenoord Rotterdam, Flick did not hide his disappointment at Raphinha being left out.

The Barcelona head coach said the Brazilian winger should have been on the list, while acknowledging there is now nothing to be done about the decision. It was a direct response to one of the main talking points surrounding the nominations.

Raphinha's omission has become one of the most contested aspects of the shortlist, with Barcelona figures and observers in Spain questioning how he failed to make the final 30.

Yamal backed as Barcelona's leading candidate

Flick was far more emphatic when asked about Yamal's chances. The German made it clear that, in his view, the Barcelona forward merits the prize.

His argument rests not only on Yamal's performances for Barcelona, but also on his role with Spain, where he won the World Cup. The source material notes that he scored once and provided one assist during that tournament. A year earlier, he had already finished second in the France Football vote, underlining how firmly he has established himself in the conversation.

Flick's praise was unequivocal. He described Yamal as a special player whose qualities stand apart, adding that those attributes are visible every time he plays.

A crowded Ballon d'Or race

Even with Flick's endorsement, Yamal faces heavyweight competition. Dembele remains a prominent name as the current holder, while Mbappe also has strong backing in the wider football world.

According to the source material, Jose Mourinho and Mbappe himself are among those who believe the French forward deserves the honour. Zinedine Zidane, though, has pointed in a different direction.

The France head coach argued that Messi should receive the award, framing his case around the extraordinary level the Argentine continues to maintain at the age of 39. Messi's standing in the history of the prize is already unmatched, having won the Ballon d'Or eight times.

Barcelona at the centre of the debate

For Barcelona, the shortlist has become about more than one individual. Flick's comments placed the club at the heart of the current argument: one player, in his eyes, has been unfairly overlooked, while another has every right to believe he can go all the way.

That combination of frustration and confidence captures the mood around the club. Raphinha's absence may continue to fuel debate, but Flick has left no doubt over where he stands on Yamal. In a field packed with elite names, Barcelona's coach believes his player should be the one lifting football's most prestigious individual prize.