A familiar warning – Barcelona cannot afford to repeat the ‘Pedri mistake’ with €180m talent | OneFootball

Lamine Yamal’s remarkable rise continues, but the numbers behind his season raise concern, as he has now played 3,448 minutes for the club this campaign.

Add the 411 minutes with the Spanish national team, and that total climbs to an astonishing 3,859 minutes. For someone who is not even 18 yet and is only in his second season as a professional, that is simply extraordinary—and equally risky.

To put things in perspective, his workload in recent weeks is particularly alarming. In just the last two weeks, Yamal has played a whopping 543 minutes. That figure would push even seasoned professionals to their limits.

Against Real Betis, he played the full 90 minutes and still showed flashes of brilliance.

The youngster had two clear chances but failed to convert. He completed eight dribbles, proving once again that he remains one of the most dangerous players in one-on-one situations, but even he has his limits.

Fatigue could be catching up

Lamine Yamal has played close to 4000 minutes this season. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

The match also exposed his fatigue. He lost the ball 32 times—an unusually high number, though not unexpected given the risks he takes in the final third.

Yamal is the kind of winger who thrives on taking chances, cutting inside, and trying to unlock defences. Naturally, that comes with the cost of turnovers, but when the legs are tired, even the best decision-making can suffer.

Hansi Flick now finds himself at a critical juncture. On one hand, Barcelona are deep in the hunt for three trophies. On the other hand, Yamal has been heavily relied upon all season.

His minutes are piling up dangerously, and the club must start thinking about long-term preservation.

Inviting problems

Barcelona need to manage Yamal’s game time. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Yamal’s greatest strength is his ability to bounce back quickly. Like most young players, his recovery time is short, and he always looks eager to play.

But that does not mean he should be pushed beyond reasonable limits. Injuries tend to creep in when players are overworked, and Barcelona have the best example within the team in Pedri.

As such, the team just cannot afford to make that mistake with someone of his potential.

The upcoming fixture against Leganes presents a window of opportunity. With two Champions League clashes against Borussia Dortmund on the horizon, it might be wise to rest Yamal for the domestic outing.

However, with the La Liga title race on a knife’s edge, resting key players is not a simple choice as well. Every point matters, and Flick will have to balance squad rotation with the need to win.

Managing a generational talent

It is advisable to rest Yamal. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

Barcelona know they have something special in Yamal. His numbers, even beyond the minutes, prove that. He is not just clocking time on the pitch—he is influencing games, creating chances, and shouldering responsibility far beyond his years.

But that is exactly why the coaching staff must act smartly. Burnout at this stage of a career could be damaging in the long run.

Despite having top talents such as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in attack, the spotlight has fallen even harder on Yamal.

The temptation to rely on him for every important match is understandable. But with the season entering its most crucial phase, it’s also time to protect the future of the club.

Resting Yamal is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of maturity and long-term thinking. So, if the club wants him to lead the next era, they need to make sure he gets there in one piece.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on the date of publication.