He is motivated — Hansi Flick says Yamal in high spirits despite Ballon d'Or disappointment

Barcelona's manager, Hansi Flick, said that losing the Ballon d'Or award to Ousmane Dembele has lit a fire in Lamine Yamal's belly.

The 18-year-old Blaugrana forward went head-to-head with Dembele for France Football’s coveted prize and lost out. According to the editor of the magazine convening the award, the Paris Saint-Germain winger won by a landslide. 

Yamal had the footballing world on its feet after a brilliant performance in the Champions League clash against Inter last season. His performance, however, was not enough to help Barcelona advance past the Italians, who eventually lost in the final to Dembele’s PSG.  

Winning the Champions League plus all the domestic trophies available in France propelled Dembele to the Ballon d'Or, while Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the second consecutive season. 

The writing on the wall is clear: winning the Champions League is a crucial factor in the pursuit for the Ballon d'Or, and Yamal is said to be motivated to go all the way this time.  

"I spoke to him yesterday,” Flick started, per Goal. “He's doing well, motivated for the coming years. And there's Dembele, who deserved it. He accepted it well and is motivated to prove his worth and, perhaps, have a chance for next season. He's very close to returning. And from what I've seen, he seems to be doing well."