FC Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has admitted his dissatisfaction with Lamine Yamal’s decision to raise the Palestinian flag during the club’s celebrations for the 2026 La Liga title. While the German manager emphasized his respect for the player’s personal freedom, he made it clear that he does not support such gestures on the pitch.
During the press conference ahead of Wednesday’s match against Alavés, Flick addressed the viral moment:
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The Stance: “I generally do not like these things. I prefer for political issues to remain outside the world of football.”
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Personal Responsibility: “I spoke with Lamine and told him that what he did was his personal decision. He is an adult now and bears responsibility for his choices.”
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Focus on Football and Fans
Flick elaborated on his philosophy regarding the role of a professional athlete:
“We dedicate ourselves to playing football, and we must take into account what people expect from us. When you see fans crying with joy, you realize why we are here. For me, that is the top priority.”
Despite this disagreement, Flick expressed immense pride in his squad for clinching the title during a challenging season marred by injuries.
A Strong Bond Remains
This incident is unlikely to fracture the relationship between the two. Flick has been a staunch defender of the young star, even following a recent heated altercation between Yamal and a member of the coaching staff during the Atlético Madrid match last month, where Flick publicly stated he would always stand by the player.
