Hans Flick, the head coach of Barcelona, expressed great satisfaction with the remarkable progress the Catalan team has made in his first season leading the team. He explained that both technical and mental maturity are clearly emerging among several players, especially the promising trio of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri.

In an exclusive interview with the club’s official channel, Flick revealed the strong confidence the coaching staff had from the beginning in Barcelona’s ability to win the Spanish league title. He pointed out that fitness coach Julio Toz instilled optimism early on during pre-season preparations, telling him: “Barcelona will win La Liga.”

The German coach spoke admiringly about Lamine Yamal, the rising star whom he considers a true football prodigy despite his young age of only 17 years. Flick added that Yamal is still at the start of his journey and needs continuous support to fully harness his potential. He said: “Lamine is extremely talented, but we realize the road ahead is long, and we must help him. So far, things are going as we want.”

Flick emphasized that long-term success requires Yamal’s commitment and strong mental work, highlighting the importance of maintaining rigorous training and developing psychological aspects. He added: “It’s not just about enjoyment but also about diligence and discipline.” He also noted Yamal’s football intelligence and ability to learn from team role models, such as Raphinha, who enjoys great confidence from the coaching staff.
Regarding Raphinha, Flick explained that the Brazilian player went through a tough phase of losing confidence and was close to leaving the club but gradually regained his form. He said: “I have been closely monitoring his performance since he joined, and I noticed his great potential as a dynamic player who makes a difference and supports Lewandowski a lot, but he lacked confidence.”

The coach described Raphinha as having a strong heart and mentality alongside technical skill, praising his outstanding defensive efforts and considering him a player with huge potential.

As for Pedri, Flick praised his exceptional talent, describing him as one of the key playmakers in the team. He said: “Whenever the ball is at Pedri’s feet, the scene is enjoyable and exciting. He is a unique player, and given his age, not exceeding 22 years, we expect him to become one of Barcelona’s leaders in the near future.”

Flick’s remarks reflect the prevailing optimism within Barcelona’s ranks, as the coach aims to build a young team capable of strong competition both locally and in Europe, based on a clear vision and great confidence in his players.