Barcelona manager Hansi Flick found himself on damage control this Friday, shutting down growing speculation that he’s shown favoritism between two of his biggest stars — Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford.
The tension came after whispers from within the club suggested that the young Spanish prodigy had received lenient treatment compared to the English forward.
Rumors of Unequal Discipline Spark Controversy
The drama reportedly began earlier this month when Barcelona faced PSG in the Champions League.
Despite arriving late for a pre-match meeting, Yamal was still included in the starting lineup — a decision that raised eyebrows.
That didn’t sit well with those who remembered a similar situation in September, when Rashford was benched against Getafe for being late to a meeting.
The contrasting outcomes quickly led to murmurs of “double standards” inside the dressing room and beyond.
Flick Snaps Back at the Accusations
Flick didn’t mince words when he addressed the rumors during a fiery press conference.
Clearly irritated, he dismissed the claims as total nonsense.
“I’d like to know where you’re getting that rumor from. It’s b*******. It’s not true,” he said.
He went on to defend his working relationship with Barcelona’s management, including sporting director Deco, stressing that there’s mutual respect and trust.
“At this club, with Deco and the rest of the professionals, I have a real relationship.
I believe in my work. They trust me — and they wouldn’t interfere. Whoever said otherwise lied.”
A Rocky Month for the Catalan Giants
Flick’s outburst comes at a tense moment for Barcelona.
The club has stumbled in recent weeks — losing 2-1 to PSG in the Champions League and suffering a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Sevilla in LaLiga.
Even with the setbacks, Barcelona remains in a strong position domestically.
They sit second in the LaLiga standings, just two points behind Xabi Alonso’s high-flying Real Madrid, who have collected 21 points from a possible 24.
Yamal and Rashford Both Deliver on the Pitch
Despite his minor injury troubles this season, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal continues to prove his worth.
The Ballon d’Or runner-up has managed two goals and four assists in just five appearances, demonstrating why Flick values him so highly.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford has adapted impressively to life in Spain.
With three goals and five assists in his first ten games, the Manchester United loanee is showing flashes of the player who once lit up Old Trafford.
Deco Stands by Rashford’s Progress
Sporting director Deco has publicly backed Rashford, saying the club is pleased with his performances and professionalism since joining.
“He’s on a simple loan — there’s no penalty, and we have an option to buy,” Deco told Mundo Deportivo.
“It’s too early to discuss next season, but what matters now is that we’re happy with him.”
Deco went on to reflect on Rashford’s career journey, acknowledging that his time at Manchester United was marked by instability and frequent coaching changes.
“He exploded early, had great years at United, then tougher ones with different coaches.
But here, he’s showing what we believed he could bring — that’s what counts.”
Rashford’s Dream Move Came with a Pay Cut
Barcelona’s pursuit of Rashford only came about after missing out on Colombian winger Luis Díaz, who joined Bayern Munich from Liverpool for £65 million.
Still, Rashford’s move to Spain was one he clearly wanted — even agreeing to a 15 percent pay cut from his £315,000-a-week Manchester United salary just to make it happen.
Reports suggest Barcelona have the option to make the transfer permanent for around £27 million, a figure many at the club consider a bargain if he continues his current form.
What’s Next for Flick and Barcelona?
As the dust settles on Flick’s angry denial, the focus now turns to performance on the pitch.
With tough fixtures ahead and Real Madrid maintaining their pace at the top, the German manager needs results to match his fiery words.
If Barcelona can rediscover their rhythm — and keep both Yamal and Rashford firing — the whispers of dressing-room favoritism may quickly fade away.
But for now, Flick knows every lineup decision will be watched closely.