Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Lamine Yamal has reacted like a champion to missing out on the Ballon d'Or to Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane.
Yamal, 19, was among the favourites to win the coveted individual prize, which was handed out at a gala held at the London Palladium last Monday.
However, after finishing second behind Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé last year, he came third this time, behind Kane and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé.
"Harry Kane also deserved to win this prize," Flick said in a news conference ahead of Saturday's LaLiga match against Alavés at Spotify Camp Nou.
"You know my opinion about Lamine. He is on this level to win this trophy. I am very proud about Lamine. He reacted good in my opinion and has been focused in training. This is how champions respond.
"I am just happy [the Ballon d'Or] is now over. Now we can focus on other things."
Yamal did not leave the gala empty-handed, taking home the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the male best player under the age of 21, for the third consecutive year.
After accepting the award, he said Barça teammate Pau Cubarsí deserved the prize more than him.
"I have said this to the team, the words Lamine said after he got the trophy, about Cubarsí, were great," Flick said.
"For me, it was clear. Pau normally deserves to win this trophy. Lamine also won it in the last two years. It's the best time to give Pau this trophy after an incredible season and excellent World Cup."
After back-to-back defeats to PSG and Madrid, Barça are looking to get back to winning ways this weekend when they host Alavés in the league.
Despite the losses, Flick is optimistic of the LaLiga leader's chances of success this season, although he is increasingly worried about the injuries piling up in defence.
"There is a long, long way until the end of the season where you can win titles," the German coach said.
"Nothing really bad happens [in October]. Of course we lost against Real. No one here loves that, not me, the players or the fans. We have to accept it and learn.
"If you see Jules [Koundé], Xavi Espart, Eric García and Andreas Christensen [are all injured]. Four defenders. Plus [midfielder Dani] Olmo. It's not easy to manage. We have to find solutions."
With just Cubarsi, Gerard Martín, João Cancelo and Alejandro Balde available at the back this weekend, Flick confirmed solutions could include playing young midfielder Brian Fariñas at full-back or Frenkie de Jong at centre-back.
Long-term, the club could turn to the transfer market in January.
"We are always looking for what is best for team and what can improve the team," Flick said when asked if he wants to sign a centre-back.
"This is what we are doing. We will see. We have more weeks until January. We discuss a lot every day. If we can do something, maybe we will do it."
Meanwhile, Barça have confirmed a the grada de animación -- a signing section with capacity for almost 2,000 fans behind one of the goals at Camp Nou -- will be closed against Alavés this weekend.
"The decision to close the section follows a series of disciplinary proceedings opened against the club and some of its members due to behaviour that goes against the values of sport," Barça said in a statement.
The proceedings relate to incidents which occurred during last weekend's Clásico defeat to Madrid, including offensive chants throughout the game and the scenes which followed Mbappé's winner, when objects were thrown and Eduardo Camavinga was hit with a flag.
"The club will meet with representatives of the groups that make up the section to address the situation and establish the necessary commitments to ensure passionate and respectful support for the team without putting Barça's reputation at risk," the statement added.
"The club hopes the section can be fully operational again for Tuesday's Champions League match against Aston Villa, provided that these discussions help resolve the situation and guarantee its proper functioning."