Hansi Flick Confident Lamine Yamal Is Regaining Top Form for Barcelona Ahead of Rayo Vallecano Match

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has shown full faith in young talent Lamine Yamal, who appears to be finding his rhythm again after recovering from a serious hamstring injury. The 19-year-old winger is starting to smile once more following a tough period marked by recovery and intense international play.

Recovery Journey and Recent Performances

The road back hasn’t been easy for Yamal, who suffered a major hamstring injury in April. Despite this, he played at the World Cup and has recently returned to club action. His start to the season was quiet, including a subdued debut against Elche, but he displayed glimpses of his potential in Barcelona’s win over Athletic Bilbao. Flick believes Yamal is steadily heading toward regaining his best level as they prepare for their upcoming match at Rayo Vallecano.

"I know everyone is worried about how is Lamine, how is he doing. And of course, look at his situation, he played a World Cup after a huge injury," Flick told the media. "Now he’s coming back after three weeks holiday... and also the first game maybe was not his best game. But I said this, I was very happy that he starts the game and he worked for the team."

Building Stamina Through Game Time

A key part of Yamal’s comeback has been gradually increasing his minutes on the pitch. Flick highlighted how important it was for the winger to complete full matches, praising his stamina during the 90 minutes played against Athletic Bilbao.

"He played 90 minutes against Bilbao. And for him at the moment, it’s also good to have 90 minutes on the pitch," Flick said. "We saw him in some situations really on this top level. Now, you couldn’t see this in the training session today, but I saw it and it was excellent. Everyone loves Lamine and he’s in a good way. And we have to support him and we do that."

Mental Strength Gaining Ground

Flick also touched on Yamal’s mental state, which had seemed fragile after the season opener when the young player looked visibly frustrated. Recently, though, the mood has improved notably. Flick pointed out that Yamal has been much happier during training sessions, which is vital for a player who relies heavily on confidence and freedom in his play.

"Of course, it’s always good when the players are smiling, but it’s not every day the same day. I’m also not smiling every day -- it’s like that," Flick commented.

Squad Depth and Forward Options

While Yamal is currently in the spotlight, Flick also spoke about the broader squad situation. Due to missing out on signing Julian Alvarez, Raphinha has been playing as a makeshift striker. Still, Flick feels comfortable with his squad and trusts the ongoing efforts by sporting director Deco to strengthen the team before the transfer window closes.

"Of course I’m happy with my team, Deco is working on that to strengthen the team. We don’t have pressure," Flick stated.

• Competition: LaLiga
• Date: 31 Aug 2026
• Match Time: 21:30
• Fixture: Rayo Vallecano vs Barcelona