Flick says Barcelona's Lamine Yamal is returning to 'top level' ahead of Rayo Vallecano clash

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told reporters on Sunday (August 30) that 19-year-old Lamine Yamal is getting back to his "top level" ahead of Monday's (August 31, 2026) La Liga clash against Rayo Vallecano. Flick said Yamal struggled in Barca's season opener at Elche but showed improvement in the second match against Athletic Bilbao, without scoring.

Yamal has not returned to his best form since suffering a hamstring injury in April and, despite being part of Spain's World Cup-winning squad, had limited individual impact at the tournament. Flick addressed concerns about the winger's condition in detail, saying: "I know everyone is worried about how Lamine is, how he is doing. And of course, look at his situation: he played in a World Cup after a huge injury," Flick told reporters on Sunday (August 30). "Now he's coming back after a three-week holiday... and also the first game maybe was not his best game. "But I said this because I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team."

Flick noted Yamal completed the full 90 minutes against Bilbao, adding: "He played 90 minutes against Bilbao. And for him at the moment, it's also good to (have) 90 minutes on the pitch." The coach said he had seen the winger reach high-level moments in matches and in training, stating: "We saw him in some situations really on this top level. And now, you couldn't see this in the training (session) today, but I saw it and it was excellent."

The manager acknowledged Yamal's mixed displays across the opening fixtures, saying the player disappointed in the first half against Athletic but lifted his performance after the break. Flick also commented on Yamal's demeanour around the Elche game and in subsequent sessions, observing: "Everyone loves Lamine and he's in a good way. And we have to support him and we do that."

On the squad more broadly, Flick confirmed Barcelona have won both opening league fixtures while using Raphinha as a makeshift number nine and were unable to secure their primary target Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid. He said of the club's transfer situation: "Of course I'm happy with my team; (sporting director) Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don't have pressure," adding he is content with the players available if a new striker is not signed.

Barcelona face Rayo Vallecano on Monday (August 31, 2026) in their next La Liga match.