FC Barcelona v Real Racing Club de Santander - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/2027
Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the La Liga EA Sports 2026/2027 match between FC Barcelona and Real Racing Club de Santander at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium on September 16, 2026. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Luis Mazariegos Luis Mazariegos has been a lead writer and editor for Barca Blaugranes since 2012, bringing tactical analysis, transfer reports, opinion columns, and investigative coverage to the SB Nation network. An award-winning journalist, he has held press credentials for Champions League and La Liga fixtures – reporting live from the stadium, press box, and press conferences. He frequently provides commentary as a guest on football podcasts and radio shows. In addition to his sports media work, Luis spent over a decade in broadcast television and currently serves as an editor for a major digital news network.
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has given his opinion on Lamine Yamal, who is considered one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or, which is given to the best player in world football.
“He will be the best player in the world, if he isn’t already. He is right up there, very close,” he said during the pre-match press conference prior to Barcelona’s match against Getafe. “If he keeps going like this—striving to improve and maintaining this mindset—he’ll do wonderfully.”
It’s Barcelona’s first match after a long international break that Flick admitted he was not a fan of.
“Such a long break is part of our job. I don’t like it, but I can’t change it. We aren’t the only ones; the other teams are in the same boat, so all that’s left is to focus on the next match,“ he said.
Yamal was active during the international break with FIFA World Cup champions Spain.
They defeated England 3-2 with Yamal scoring. He also scored twice and assisted once in a 4-1 win over Croatia at home, as well as getting a goal against Czechia in a 3-1 win. The only match he did not get a goal contribution in was a 2-1 win over Croatia in the return fixture in Split.
“He’s playing at a fantastic level, including with Spain. I saw him in London; I was there,” Flicks aid.
It remains to be seen how much rest he will get after the international fixtures, but Flick said Yamal and other youngsters like Pau Cubarsí may be able to play more minutes than other players returning from games with their nations.
“You have to look at the players from a different perspective. Cubarsí and Lamine are young and recover faster. If he plays 60 or 70 minutes, that’s already good—though I understand he wants to play the whole match,” he said.
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