Lamine Yamal is no longer that promising teenager who dazzled in Barça's youth soccer. The winger, just 18 years old, has established himself as one of the world's top figures. Today, he's Flick's offensive reference and the absolute symbol of Barça's new project.
With his latest contract renewal, the club thought it had secured its great star for many years. However, Lamine believes that the signed contract is only part of the agreement. What truly matters to him are the sporting conditions that must accompany his growth.
The striker understands that it's no longer enough for him to be treated as a young talent in development. He demands to be recognized as the best in the world, just as his performance shows. As a result, he wants to take on new responsibilities on the field and be the protagonist in every decisive action.
A new status within the team
For Lamine, the hierarchy can't remain the same as when he debuted with the first team. He knows that the captaincy is earned over time and respects that natural process in the locker room. However, he wants everything on the field to go through him, especially set pieces.
The first warning came in Mallorca, where Barça won 3-0 on opening day. There, he was seen joining the list of free-kick takers, sharing responsibility with other stars. It's no longer just Raphinha who takes on those actions; the young prodigy also claims the spotlight.
The decision isn't a whim, but part of a personal plan for sporting growth. Lamine is clear that to compete for the Ballon d'Or, he needs to increase his goal numbers. Penalties and direct free kicks are an essential way to add decisive goals each season.
Inevitable comparisons with Leo Messi
His attitude is very reminiscent of Messi's early steps in his rise to the elite. The Argentine also decided one day that he had to take free kicks and penalties to multiply his stats. From then on, his dominance was total and no one questioned his leadership on the field.
With the Spanish National Team, he already gave a sign of his change in mentality a few months ago. During the Nations League, against France, he was the one who asked to take a penalty at a key moment. He converted it with authority, showing that he doesn't falter in major international events.
That's the confidence he wants to bring to Barça, where he feels there's still a need to trust him more. Lamine knows that his soccer creates chances like no other and demands that they're taken full advantage of. Every ball he touches improves the play, and Flick is also aware of that unique detail.
Clear conditions for the future
At Son Moix, it was confirmed again that Barça depends on his bursts down the right wing. His dribbling, speed, and imbalance change matches in a matter of seconds, creating panic in opposing defenses. Flick prefers to give him freedom rather than limit him with overly rigid orders or inflexible systems.
Even so, Lamine wants clear guarantees about his role and continuity as the team's leader. He believes that if Barça doesn't allow him to grow as he wants, it will be seen as a lack of trust. In that case, he wouldn't hesitate to reconsider his future, despite being very emotionally attached to the club.
For now, there's no official ultimatum, but there is a strong message to the board and the locker room. "Treat me as what I am, one of the best in the world", he reportedly told those closest to him. His idea is to stay for many years, as long as the conditions he demands to keep growing are respected.
Barça is clear that Lamine Yamal is its greatest treasure and wants to avoid any internal conflict. However, the young man has already made it clear that his priority isn't just the financial aspect. What he's looking for is to become the absolute epicenter of the sporting project and compete for all the major titles.