Feyenoord manager backs Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or: ‘He has the quality to win it’

Feyenoord manager backs Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or: ‘He has the quality to win it’ Former FC Barcelona defender and current Feyenoord manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst returned to the Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday, more than a decade after helping the Catalans win the UEFA Champions League in Paris. The former Dutch footballer will take charge of his Feyenoord side against Hansi Flick’s Barça in their first league phase match of the 2026/27 Champions League on Wednesday night. Speaking to the media ahead of tomorrow’s contest, the Feyenoord manager reflected on the fond memories of his time in Catalonia, stating that he was delighted to return, this time in the dugout ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League meeting. “I have very good memories. I played here for four years and it was a very beautiful period. It was a dream to come here,” Van Bronckhorst said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo . Van Bronckhorst hails Lamine Yamal Van Bronckhorst was full of praise for Barcelona’s young star, who he believes is destined to win the Ballon d’Or. This comes after the nominations for the 2026 Ballon d’Or were announced today, with Lamine in the running for the top prize , along with his teammates Pau Cubarsi and Rodri. Lamine Yamal nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) “He’s a player who, at his age, has already won so much. People come to the stadium specifically to watch Lamine,” the Feyenoord coach said. “He has the quality to win the Ballon d’Or. The question is when he’ll win it. He has the potential, without any doubt,” he added. On plans to face Barcelona Van Bronckhorst knows his Feyenoord side are likely to spend periods defending against Barcelona, but he does not want them to abandon their possession-based style. “We’re facing a team that will push us back. We’ll have to stay alert. We have to be brave and try to have the ball as much as possible,” Van Bronckhorst explained. “Keeping possession against such a good team is difficult, but it’s a very nice challenge. We have to give the best possible account of ourselves.” He was particularly keen to emphasise that Feyenoord will not simply sit deep and absorb pressure. “ We don’t have to park the bus ,” he insisted. Van Bronckhorst insists Feyenoord will not abandon their principles vs Barça. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Van Bronckhorst has also watched Barcelona in action recently, including their emphatic victory over Valencia, and had nothing but praise for Hansi Flick’s team. “Everyone knows that Barcelona play very good football, perhaps they’re the best team at the moment. They create a lot of chances,” he said. He believes Flick’s side are getting increasingly close to achieving their ultimate objective in Europe. “They’ve won two leagues and they want to win the Champions League. That’s the next step they want to take,” he noted. “The Champions League was the greatest achievement of my career. It’s special for every player. The moment when they win it is getting closer and closer,” he added.