Dutch legend says Barcelona starlet’s full potential will only be realized in a more influential central position
Dutch football icon Marco van Basten has advised new Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick to rethink the role of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, urging the club to deploy the prodigious winger in a more central position to maximize his influence on games.
Van Basten, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner and one of football’s most respected voices, made the remarks following Barcelona’s dramatic 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at San Siro in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal on Tuesday night. The defeat saw the Catalan giants eliminated from the tournament after a 6-5 aggregate scoreline, despite Yamal’s strong individual display.
“It’s actually a shame that he plays there, because he doesn’t get the ball enough,” Van Basten told Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport. “Of course, he is a constant threat on the right. But if he plays in the centre, he has much more influence on the game and he can mean even more to the team. And I think that is the next step.”
Yamal’s Impact and Limitations on the Right
Yamal, 17, has been one of Barcelona’s standout players this season, dazzling fans and critics alike with his explosive speed, vision, and technical skill on the right flank. He was a constant attacking threat during both legs of the semifinal tie against Inter Milan, frequently unsettling the Italian side’s defense with his dribbling and off-the-ball movement.
However, despite his flair and work rate, Yamal was unable to find the net in the second leg, a game in which Barcelona needed more central attacking penetration. For Van Basten, this underlined the limitations of Yamal’s current role on the wing.
“He can score goals, give crosses, put people in front of the goal. We know that by now,” the former Netherlands striker added. “The next step should be: what is his influence on the team in the end? Such a good player should play much more in the centre of the field.”
Barcelona’s Champions League Exit
Barcelona’s European campaign came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of a determined Inter Milan side. After a pulsating 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the Blaugrana were narrowly edged out 4-3 in the return leg in Milan.
The defeat was especially painful considering Barcelona’s resurgence under Flick, who has guided the team to improved domestic form and a more cohesive attacking philosophy since replacing Xavi Hernández.
Despite the disappointment, Yamal’s performances throughout the tournament have earned widespread praise, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s brightest young talents. His performances at both club and international level this season have drawn comparisons to legends of the game, although several football figures—including Florent Malouda—have cautioned against premature parallels with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Malouda, in a recent interview, urged observers to allow Yamal to develop at his own pace.
“That’s too much right now, and that’s also in a kind of way erasing his own personality,” Malouda told Racing Tipster. “He’s probably inspired by a mix of both [Messi and Ronaldo], but you can see he has his own touch. He has his own personality.”
“Now it’s more about longevity and how he not only maintains this level but improves… He should not be just happy with what he’s doing because now it feels like he’s comfortable.”
The Case for a Central Role
Van Basten’s suggestion to move Yamal into a central attacking or creative midfield role may hold merit. With his football IQ, ability to read the game, and composure under pressure, Yamal possesses many of the qualities needed to thrive in the middle of the park. Playing centrally would allow him to receive the ball more frequently, dictate tempo, and become a more integral part of Barcelona’s attacking build-up.
At just 17, Yamal has already shown he can handle the rigors of top-level competition. He was instrumental in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 title win and played a key role in Barcelona’s deep run in the Champions League this season. The move to a central position could accelerate his development into a complete offensive playmaker—someone who not only finishes chances but also orchestrates the attack with vision and creativity.
Van Basten emphasized that Barcelona must think long-term about how best to use Yamal’s extraordinary talent.
“The central role gives him access to more of the pitch. He can connect better with the midfield and the strikers, and he’ll see more of the ball in key areas,” Van Basten said. “This kind of player shouldn’t be limited to the touchline—he should be in the thick of the action.”
Flick Faces Tactical Dilemma
The suggestion places Hansi Flick in a tactical conundrum. Since arriving at Camp Nou, the former Bayern Munich and Germany head coach has largely kept faith with Yamal as a right winger in a 4-3-3 system—mirroring how the club previously nurtured young wide talents such as Messi and Ansu Fati.
However, with increasing calls from experts like Van Basten and Malouda to give Yamal a freer role, Flick may be compelled to experiment with more flexible formations, such as a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, that allow Yamal to operate between the lines.
Yamal’s Record-Breaking Season
Despite his young age, Lamine Yamal has broken numerous records this season. He became the youngest-ever Barcelona player to appear in a Champions League knockout match, the youngest scorer in La Liga history, and was a central figure in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph—becoming the youngest to ever play and score in the tournament’s knockout stage.
His technical maturity, dribbling finesse, and decision-making under pressure have drawn admiration from football greats and analysts across the globe. What makes him even more unique is his humility and hunger to grow—traits that suggest he is willing to adapt and evolve if given the opportunity.
The Road Ahead for Barcelona
With the Champions League campaign now behind them, Barcelona must shift their focus to finishing the La Liga season on a strong note and preparing for a more competitive 2025/26 campaign. The club’s young core, led by Yamal, Pedri, and Gavi, gives fans plenty of reasons for optimism.
If Hansi Flick takes Van Basten’s advice, preseason and early next season may see Yamal deployed in more diverse positions to determine where he can be most effective. Such flexibility could benefit both the player and the team as Barcelona seek to reassert themselves among Europe’s elite.
Conclusion
Marco van Basten’s call for a positional change highlights a broader question that Barcelona must answer: how can the club best harness the generational talent of Lamine Yamal? While the right wing has been his launchpad, a central role could be his ultimate destination—a place where his creativity, footballing intelligence, and technical gifts can truly shine.
With Yamal still at the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career, how Barcelona shape his role in the coming years may very well determine the heights he can reach.
