‘He’s my player’: Flick backs Yamal for Ballon d’Or

Hansi Flick has thrown his weight behind Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or after the teenage sensation inspired Barcelona’s 5-1 Champions League demolition of Feyenoord on Wednesday.

Yamal curled home a free-kick and set up two goals as Barça made a flying start to their European campaign at a rain-soaked Spotify Camp Nou.

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Asked if the 19-year-old deserves the game's top individual prize, Flick said: “Of course, he’s my player, a player from Barcelona. He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.

“You can see in every game he’s special. No one has this like him.”

Yamal, however, insists he will not beg for the coveted trophy. After helping Barça win LaLiga and Spain lift the World Cup, the teenager said he believes he had a strong year but is happy to leave the decision to others.

His latest goal took his Champions League tally to 12, just one behind Kylian Mbappé’s teenage record. He has also reached 101 goal contributions for Barcelona -- 54 goals and 47 assists.

Yamal faces stiff competition from Mbappe, Harry Kane and Paris Saint-Germain stars, including reigning winner Ousmane Dembele.

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Lamine Yamal became the youngest Barcelona captain at 19 years and 58 days old during the Spanish champions' 5-1 win over Feyenoord in the Champions League on Wednesday. First-choice captain Raphinha handed the armband to the Spanish forward when the Brazilian was substituted in the 71st minute. Bojan Krkic was Barcelona's previous youngest skipper, having captained the team during a 2010 Copa del Rey match when he was 20.

Flick was also surprised to see Barça pair Raphinha and Pedri miss out on the 30-man shortlist.

“They are too good to not be there,” he said. “They are fantastic players and deserve to be there.”

Raphinha certainly made his case against Feyenoord, smashing two goals to take his tally to eight for the season. He has now scored in each of Barça’s opening five games -- the first Barça player to achieve the feat since 1950.

Karim Adeyemi also found the net as Flick’s side cruised to a convincing victory.

Barça have already scored 22 goals this season, fuelling hopes of ending their wait for another Champions League crown.

Flick, though, knows there is still plenty of work ahead.

“I like a lot what I see, but there are situations where we have to improve,” he said. “There is a long way to the end.”