
Judge grants Oklahoma LB Heinecke extra year
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke granted an extra year of eligibility for 2026 after court ruling.
Ivan Rakitic has publicly supported Barcelona's young talent Lamine Yamal amid recent criticism, urging him to enjoy the game. This comes as Barcelona prepares for a crucial UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona icon shows support for Lamine Yamal after recent backlash: âLet him enjoy himselfâ
With Barcelona facing a defining night against Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, the spotlight has naturally fallen on the players expected to deliver under pressure.
Among them is teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, and former Barça star Ivan Rakitic has stepped forward to defend and support the youngster.
In the build-up to the clash, Yamal has found himself at the centre of debate following his recent comments and on-field behaviour.
However, Rakitic was quick to downplay the noise, instead highlighting the importance of mentality in such high-stakes encounters.
âWe know which matches are special, and you prepare every little detail with a bit more care.â
At the same time, the Croatian emphasised that joy must not be lost in the process.
âNever forget to enjoy yourself and be happy, because thereâs a lot of pressure, but there are millions of people who would love to be in your shoes.â
Barcelona head into this game needing something extraordinary, and Rakitic pointed to historic comebacks, such as against PSG, as a source of belief.
Rakitic has defended Lamine Yaml. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Recalling iconic moments, he said,
âIn the comeback against PSG, the emotion we all witnessedânot just Barça fansâis indescribable, even unique.
âHopefully, there will be more nights like that for Barça, the kind that stay with you for a lifetime.â
That sense of belief, according to him, must define the teamâs mindset.
âBarça have already shown theyâre capable of scoring more than two goals. But even if they play a perfect game, thereâs very little room for error.
âAnd this is the moment for the great players. Barça have many key players, and this is their moment.â
Naturally, the conversation turned to Yamal, and Rakitic did not hold back in his support.
He stressed the importance of allowing the youngster to express himself freely while also embracing responsibility.
âWith Lamine, what we need to do is let him enjoy himself, dance, do his thing, but Iâd also like to see him take responsibility.
âNormally, you donât have to tell young players so much, but Lamine has reached a point where he demands a lot from himself and wants more, even though heâs very young.
âAnd these are the matches where he can grow a great deal, and Barça needs him more than ever.â
Rakitic also praised the forwardâs natural flair and confidence, stating,
âEver since he made his debut, heâs had that âflowâ; I think thatâs the word for it. Iâm not that modern, Iâm more old-school, but thatâs football these days.
âThese things are part of the game, but what matters is what happens on the pitch afterwards, and heâs delivering there â we canât ask for much more.â
He also highlighted the absence of a key supporting figure, which could affect his performance. âI think Lamine misses Raphinha.â
The former midfielder acknowledged that handling a player like Yamal is not straightforward, especially given his age and personality.
Rakitic has also praised Hansi Flick. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
âI think âdifficultâ doesnât quite cover it, but I do think heâd benefit from a captain like Puyol, Rakitic or Xavi.
âItâs not easy, though, because afterwards, when things go wrong, we blame it on his youth â and that applies to both the good and the bad.â
Rakitic expressed confidence in Hansi Flick and his staff to guide the youngster properly.
âHansi and his staff surely have him well under control, but lads with that kind of talent need that joy and that peace of mind.
âItâs not a question of excusing (his behaviour) because of his youth. He needs to express himself like that, and the important thing is that he continues to give his all on the pitch.â
Turning back to the match itself, Rakitic admitted Atletico hold the advantage but warned against complacency.
âWith the result from the first leg, have everything in their favour, although Cholo and the fans wonât be at ease for a moment.â
Lastly, he also reflected on the first leg dynamics, explaining,
âI would have expected Atletico to push a bit harder in the closing stages of the first leg, though without taking any major risks, to score a third; and Barça, down to ten men, had more chances.â
Source: SPORT
Ivan Rakitic encouraged Lamine Yamal to enjoy himself despite the criticism he has faced.
Lamine Yamal is under scrutiny due to his recent comments and on-field behavior as Barcelona prepares for a key UEFA Champions League match.
The match is a defining moment for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, crucial for their progression in the tournament.
Lamine Yamal's performance has sparked debate, leading to mixed reactions from fans and analysts ahead of an important match.

Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke granted an extra year of eligibility for 2026 after court ruling.
Aline Gomes shares her dream to play in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Insights from Lachard Binkley on the Lakers-Rockets playoff series starting Saturday.
Watch Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav's priceless reactions to Shreyas Iyer's stunning catch in IPL 2026!
Expert Advice for 49ers Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
Baltimore Orioles' Craig Albernaz greeted by kids' decor on return to Cleveland post-injury.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.