Pedri talks Iniesta, Busquets, Dembele and Real Madrid

Pedri leads Barcelona’s representation in Luis Enrique’s 23-member Spain squad for the friendlies against Albania and Iceland. The 19-year-old, who will be La Roja’s new number 10, recently sat down with the Cadena Cope program ‘El Partidazo’ where he gave his opinion on several topics.

He started off with an early memory involving Real Madrid; a club that rejected the young midfielder twice. It wasn’t so long ago really. All you have to do is to look back to February 2018 when the record European champions invited him for a trial.

“I went there and the first few days I couldn’t train because there was snow on the fields,” said Pedri. 

“I trained for three days and I think since they were playing the next day, they took me down with the B team to train and in the end, they told me that I didn’t have the level to be there. But now I’m where I want to be.

“At first you don’t like being rejected, but then it motivates you to think that if they didn’t want you now you’re going to work so that something else could come in the future.

“To whoever rejected me at Madrid, I would tell them that I’m enjoying myself at Barça,” he added.

The former Las Palmas starlet also mentioned that if it were up to him, he would have picked number 8 as he idolises it because of Andres Iniesta.

“My favourite number is #8 because of Andrés Iniesta. In the national team, I had to choose between two numbers. #8 belonged to Koke and we have to respect the veterans, so I picked #10.”

Also answering a quick question, Pedri mentioned that the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Sergio Busquets are the players who have left a lasting impression on the midfielder’s mind.

“Busquets and Dembélé [have surprised me the most]. Busquets… what he does is crazy,” he added.

And finally, the Spanish international also named the players who would make it to his dream team. 

“Here’s my ideal XI; Ter Stegen, Dani Alves, Eric García, Piqué, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo. Luis Enrique would be my coach,” he concluded.