Barcelona President lets slip potential Lamine Yamal return date from back injury – ‘He was saying…’ | OneFootball

Barcelona President Joan Laporta was in cheerful form ahead of the Ballon d’Or gala, with a strong contingent of candidates nominated for awards on both the men’s side and the women’s side. That contingent was of course headlined by Lamine Yamal and Aitana Bonmati.

The women’s Ballon d’Or went to Bonmati, making it three years in a row. Meanwhile Lamine Yamal did take home the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for a second year in succession, but was pipped to the main award by Ousmane Dembele.

Lamine Yamal remains out of action currently, as he tries to recover from a back problem that has kept him out of their last three games, and has been given no return date. However Laporta let slip to Marca when he could be back.

“I see Lamine with restrained enthusiasm, surrounded by his friends and teammates who are also contenders for the title like Raphinha. I like the way he approaches these events. He’s currently injured with that damn back pain. He said he might be fine for Real Sociedad. He looks very excited. It would be historic [for him to win].”

After the awards had been handed out, Laporta remarked that this would motivate Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or more next year.

‘We’re delighted with Hansi Flick’ – Laporta

Another in attendance was Hansi Flick, who was nominated for the Johan Cruyff Trophy, given to the best manager of the year. It was ex-Barcelona man Luis Enrique who picked that up, but Laporta was singing Flick’s praises.

“We’re delighted with him. He’s giving a lesson in how to manage a football team of this quality and level. I see him very motivated, happy with the group, everyone is responding to him. I think he’s doing very well.”

Image via France Football

Laporta still uncertain on Camp Nou return

However he was less certain on Barcelona’s very own back pain, the construction of Camp Nou. After missing a number of deadlines set by the club to return to their stadium, Laporta did not give a concrete date to return to their stadium.

“We’re working on it. We depend on what the City Council says. But we’ve done the work: we have the final construction certificate, the construction control certificate, the fire department report, the environmental report… LaLiga and UEFA have said the pitch is ready to play, and we’re waiting for the first occupancy license.”

Image via Valenti Enrich/Diario Sport

“These are processes that have to be carried out, and we don’t want to put more pressure on it than necessary, but there comes a time when this is very close. We’ll see what the City Council officials say after the visits they’ve made. We’re prepared for anything because all of the actions they have asked of us, we have carried out.”

Barcelona are next in action against Real Oviedo, which if Laporta is to be believed, will be their last without Lamine Yamal. Following that, they host Real Sociedad, Paris Saint-Germain and then travel to Sevilla before the international break, but Flick will no doubt be desperate to have Lamine Yamal available for their clash with PSG.