Lamine Yamal must learn the importance of protecting his reputation

We don’t know what exactly is true about Lamine Yamal’s 18th birthday party, and what’s hearsay, but at this point it doesn’t matter. The damage is done.

For Barcelona, it was the eve of an exciting new season, and now, instead of being singularly focused on footballing preparations, there is instead a media distraction surrounding their most important player and a potential government investigation.

This is why some managers, Hansi Flick included, are so strict. Team rules and structures are meant to protect the players from themselves.

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

You want to be able to thread the needle.