Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said teenage sensation Lamine Yamal must look beyond his football talent if he wants to elevate his career even further.

Lamine Yamal has been a revelation since breaking into Barcelona’s senior team, quickly establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest young stars.

Naija News reports that Yamal’s remarkable rise saw him finish second in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, only behind Ousmane Dembele.

Despite the plaudits, Flick believes the 18-year-old still has room for growth and insists that talent alone will not sustain him at the highest level.

“He is exceptional, but there are other exceptional players on the team. He is 18 years old, and he also has to focus on working,” Flick told Goal.

“To get to the next level, one or two steps higher, you have to work hard; talent alone is not enough.

“It is not just about playing with the ball, it’s also about defending. That is what we need from all players, not just him.”

Flick’s comments are related to a recurring theme in modern football: attackers are no longer judged solely by their creativity or goals, but also by their contribution when the team is without the ball.

Yamal’s flair and attacking brilliance have earned him global recognition, but he is not known to be defensive-minded when his team loses possession.

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