Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick plans to speak to Lamine Yamal when the forward returns from international duty with Spain, amid increasing discussion about his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

Flick is concerned that the attention surrounding the award could affect the 18-year-old’s concentration and performances. Yamal has helped fuel the debate himself, saying in several interviews that he deserves to receive the prize.

The German coach wants to ensure the Ballon d’Or does not become an obsession for Yamal or influence his approach to matches. Flick’s priority is for the player to remain focused and maintain his usual level of preparation and performance.

He also wants Yamal to be prepared for either outcome when the voting is decided, rather than allowing the result to have an excessive effect on his mindset.

Yamal finished second in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, behind Ousmane Dembele.

Lamine Yamal declined to discuss Real Madrid when asked about the latest developments involving Barcelona’s main La Liga rivals.

The Barcelona winger was specifically invited to comment on Jose Mourinho’s decision to attend a news conference with printed images of incidents from matches, which he used to complain about refereeing decisions.

“Not interested,” Yamal replied.

Barcelona have won all seven of their La Liga matches so far this season and sit at the top of the table.

Real Madrid are six points behind them.

Former Barcelona and Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has backed Lamine Yamal in a social media post ahead of the Ballon d’Or ceremony on 26 October.

Eto’o described the Barcelona forward as “a genius, fearless and talented”.

Yamal shared the former Barcelona player’s post on his own social media accounts.

The Spain international previously said he would not campaign for the award. He later said he believed he deserved the Ballon d’Or because of the trophies he had won.

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia believes the 2026 Ballon d’Or should be won by Lamine Yamal or another member of the Spain national team.

Yamal, 18, is among the 30 nominees for this year’s award, with the ceremony scheduled to take place in London on 26 October.

The Barcelona winger has spoken repeatedly in recent weeks about his chances of winning the prize. Yamal has said he considers himself one of the contenders after a successful season with Barcelona and Spain.

Kylian Mbappe’s recent focus on the Ballon d’Or has reportedly caused dissatisfaction at Real Madrid, with the club said to view his campaign for the award as misguided.

The France forward has dominated media coverage in recent weeks after giving a series of interviews in which he discussed his chances of winning football’s most prestigious individual prize.

Mbappe believes he has a genuine opportunity to claim the award when it is presented at the end of October.

However, Foot Mercato, citing Spanish newspaper Sport, reports that people at Real Madrid are unhappy with the way the forward has promoted himself in the Ballon d’Or voting. According to the report, the campaign has been described within the club as ridiculous.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on 26 October.

Atletico defender Alejandro Grimaldo says the Ballon d’Or should go to the player who helps Spain win the 2026 World Cup.

Grimaldo named the Spain squad’s eventual World Cup winner as his leading choice for football’s most prestigious individual award.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place on 26 October.

Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal has said team-mate Pau Cubarsi should be considered for either the Kopa Trophy or the Ballon d’Or.

The 19-year-old defender has played in six matches for Barcelona in all competitions this season, but has not recorded a goal or an assist.

Yamal has won the young player of the year award in consecutive years.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has urged the team to keep their Champions League ambitions in perspective after opening the new campaign with a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.

Barcelona’s players have repeatedly spoken about their desire to win European club football’s premier competition, but Lopez said the team must avoid looking too far ahead.

“We cannot get ahead of ourselves,” Lopez said when discussing Barcelona’s prospects in the Champions League.

Barcelona began their campaign with a convincing home win against Feyenoord in the first round of the new Champions League edition. The Catalan side scored five times and conceded once to make a strong start to the competition.

Their next opponents will be Galatasaray, with Barcelona now preparing for the second match of their Champions League campaign. Lopez’s comments underline the need for the team to concentrate on the immediate stages of the tournament rather than focus on the possibility of lifting the trophy.

Barcelona last won the Champions League in 2015.

Brazilian winger Raphinha Dias says his move into a striker’s role at Barcelona has developed over the course of two years.

The 29-year-old has featured in eight matches this season, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists.

Raphinha’s current market value is estimated at €70m, while his contract with Barcelona runs until the end of June 2028.

Barcelona attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez says Raphinha is performing at an “incredible level” after the Brazil international’s impressive start to the season.

The 29-year-old has featured in eight matches for Barcelona across all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists. Lopez was speaking about Raphinha’s performances after the forward moved into a striker role.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has identified Gordon as the new arrival who has made the strongest impression on him.

Barcelona signed Gordon from Newcastle for 80 million euros during the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old has featured in seven matches in all competitions since joining the Spanish club and has provided five assists.

Gordon’s current contract with Barcelona runs until mid-2031.

Barcelona have added Sporting striker Luis Suarez to their list of potential signings for the January transfer window, according to football transfer insider Ekrem Konur.

Konur reported on social media that the 28-year-old Colombia international is being considered by the Catalan club, who are assessing possible additions to their squad.

Suarez has played for the Lisbon club since joining in the summer of last year. His current contract with Sporting runs until the end of June 2030.

The forward’s estimated market value is €30m, according to Transfermarkt.

Suarez has made seven appearances in the Portuguese league this season and has scored six goals.

Barcelona attacking midfielder Fermin Lopez says he has a “very good relationship” with Dani Olmo despite the competition between them for playing time.

Lopez and Olmo occupy similar attacking roles at Barcelona, with both competing for opportunities in the side.

Lopez has featured in seven matches across all competitions this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists.

Olmo has made eight appearances and has registered three assists.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez believes the team’s main shortcoming last season was a lack of options on the bench.

The Catalan side have opened the new Spanish league campaign with seven consecutive victories, giving them a perfect 21-point total and a strong lead at the top of the table.

Barcelona will next face Getafe at home, with the match scheduled for 10 October.

The team is managed by Hans-Dieter Flick.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez says team-mate Lamine Yamal is “a very important player” for the club.

The 19-year-old has made eight appearances for Barcelona in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.

Barcelona lead the Spanish league after seven rounds, having collected 21 points.

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen says he understands why head coach Jose Mourinho is placing him under significant pressure as he looks to develop the 21-year-old centre-back.

Huijsen has featured in seven matches for Real Madrid in all competitions this season. The Spanish defender has yet to score or provide an assist.

Real Madrid’s next fixture is at home against Villarreal on 10 October. The La Liga eighth-round match is scheduled to kick off at 22:00 Moscow time.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has spoken positively about new team-mate Rodri Hernandez, describing the Spain international as an incredible footballer.

The 30-year-old joined the Catalan club from Manchester City during the summer transfer window.

Rodri Hernandez has played seven matches for Barcelona across all competitions since making the move, but has yet to register a goal or an assist.

Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez has commented on the high-profile statements made by Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho.

Barcelona have made a flawless start to the La Liga campaign, winning all seven of their matches to move top of the table after seven rounds. The Catalan club have 21 points.

Atletico, Betis and Real Madrid are the nearest challengers. Atletico and Betis have 16 points each, while Real Madrid have 15.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi has shared his assessment of the players who joined the club’s first team during the summer transfer window.

Barcelona signed Joao Cancelo, Dominik Livakovic, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri Hernandez and Anthony Gordon for the senior squad last summer.

After seven matches, Barcelona sit at the top of the La Liga table and hold a five-point lead over their nearest rivals.

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has recognised the strength of Barcelona before the two sides meet in the first Clasico of the season.

Barcelona have won all seven of their opening matches in the Spanish league, collecting 21 points to establish a clear lead at the top of the table under Hansi Flick.

Their attacking record has been particularly impressive. The Catalan side have scored 31 goals during the opening stage of the campaign - almost twice as many as Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s defensive record is also strong, with the team conceding only seven goals so far.

The next meeting between the two clubs will take place in exactly one month, on 25 October, when Barcelona host Real Madrid at Camp Nou.