The 2024/25 season aims to be a milestone for Lamine Yamal at FC Barcelona. After his stellar first Euro Cup with Spain, the 17-year-old player returned to the club this week ready to confirm his role since the first day of LaLiga, although the one from Esplugues de Llobregat did not add minutes during the American tour. The youth player has been working hard in recent days and is aiming for the XI at Mestalla next Saturday, which has sent a clear message to Raphinha.
From his first training sessions, the '19' looks focused on maintaining the level shown in the Euros. It is very likely that Hansi Flick will give him minutes on Monday at the Joan Gamper, a match that could be decisive for the coach to define his lineup for matchday 1 of the League. In principle, the logic is to bet on the players who accumulate the most minutes in the preseason, but Heildelberg also gives a lot of importance to what the players show daily in each session.
Hansi Flick is clear about who will be his starting right winger this season
And, unlike in 2023/24, the Barça youth player is not willing to alternate starting positions with the Brazilian. Lamine understands that this will be his consecrated year and is clear about who should be the owner of the right side in attack for Barça. In that sense, the '11' will start the season on the bench, being a substitute for the '19' in Flick's plans. With the arrival of Dani Olmo, the door may also be closed on the left for the Porto Alegre player. Not to mention if Nico Williams finally arrives. Despite this scenario, the South American forward has no doubts about staying to fight for a position.
For the German coach, the objective is to exploit Lamine's full potential and, as long as he is physically fit, he will not hesitate to keep him in his XI. The management of minutes, of course, will be careful, since both the coaching staff and the board are clear that this is a young footballer who still has to work hard on the physical part. The work of the new culé staff will be decisive for the youth squad to take firm steps in his preparation, avoiding suffering injuries that undermine his impressive projection.