Dembele's teammate issues a warning to Lamine Yamal

01/10/2025 12:09:00 TrophyTracker

Defender Achraf Hakimi has delivered a clear warning to Lamine Yamal ahead of the Champions League clash between Barcelona and PSG.

The 2025/26 Champions League group stage continues with the second matchday, featuring a high-profile showdown between PSG and Barcelona. Before the game, PSG defender Achraf Hakimi sent a warning to Barca’s young star Lamine Yamal.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Hakimi stated that although he will not directly face Yamal, the 18-year-old will have to contend with “the best left-back in the world,” Nuno Mendes.

The Moroccan defender shared: "Lamine isn’t on my side, but he will have to face the world’s best left-back, Nuno Mendes. He is fully capable of stopping Lamine, just as he has done before, and has tightly marked many attackers with a similar style in the past. He is very well prepared."

Đồng đội Dembele lên tiếng cảnh báo Lamine Yamal 714254 — Hakimi warns Yamal will face tough challenges against Nuno Mendes

Ousmane Dembele’s teammate, who recently won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, also recalled the 2024/25 Nations League final where Mendes played a crucial role in neutralizing Yamal and Spain’s national team, even scoring a goal himself.

The former Inter and Real Madrid player added: "However, our strength lies in supporting each other. We will try to assist Nuno so he doesn’t have to face one-on-one situations alone, because we know how dangerous Lamine can be in those moments."

Đồng đội Dembele lên tiếng cảnh báo Lamine Yamal 714253 — Hakimi recalls the moment Yamal was tightly marked by Mendes in the 2024/25 Nations League final

Both PSG and Barcelona face significant squad losses ahead of this crucial match. PSG coach Luis Enrique is missing his preferred attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to injuries, as well as captain Marquinhos.

On Barcelona’s side, coach Hansi Flick is also troubled by injuries to Raphinha and goalkeeper Joan Garcia from the La Liga match against Real Oviedo. Both join the list of absentees that already includes Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez. However, the good news for Barca is the return of star Lamine Yamal, who is very likely to start in this key game.

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