Pedri talks Busquets, Pique, Iniesta, La Liga title race, referees, Spain NT, World Cup

Over the past couple of years, Pedri has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top at Barcelona. Just 19 years old, the Spaniard is recognised as one of the best young midfielders in the game and is seen as the present and future of not just Barça but also the Spanish national team.

Over a year ago, Pedri was part of the Spain side that made it to the semi-finals of the UEFA Euro 2020 – his first-ever major tournament with La Roja’s senior setup. Now the youngster is on his way to participating in his first World Cup.

Looking back, it was just three years ago when Pedri was representing Spain at the Under-17 World Cup in 2019 and the youngster, in an interview with Mundo Deportivo, reflected on his journey during this time.

“It’s crazy. Going from an Under-17 World Cup to a major one in three years. I’m digesting it well, thanks to my family. They help me a lot to be calm, to live day to day, and to enjoy what I do,” Pedri said.

The 19-year-old is one of the main players at Barcelona and despite his age, is being tipped as a leader of the team. When asked whether he sees himself in a similar way in the national team as well, the teenager replied:

“I have always believed that the group is much more than a single player. What I have to do is contribute as much as possible to the group and if I’m in the national team, then to the national team. It is what makes me and the team bigger, the best for everyone.”

The World Cup dream

On what it means for him to be playing in the World Cup, Pedri said: “It’s a dream. Any child who watches football, plays it, and likes it wants to play a World Cup. It is something that a child has in his mind and I will be able to fulfill it, so I am grateful.”

The youngster also seemed impressed with the facilities and infrastructure set up at host nation Qatar, as he said: “From what I’ve seen, the stadiums and facilities are very good, they are spectacular. For a competition like this, it is what it deserves.”

In a recent interview, Pedri’s Barcelona teammate Robert Lewandowski insisted that the exposure from the World Cup would help the youngsters at the club mature more. When asked if he discusses these things with the club veterans, Pedri answered:

“Yes. They tell us that a World Cup is a unique thing and that possibly many people would pay to be there. We have the opportunity to be there and they advise us to enjoy it because it is something unique.”

The midfielder name-checked Sergio Busquets as one player from whom he seeks a lot of advice, saying: “Above all, I ask Busquets for advice. He plays in a position similar to mine. He has a different vision of football, and helps us all a lot.”

On whether he had discussed the World Cup with manager Xavi, who was part of the winning team in 2010, Pedri said: “He tells us that we are going to enjoy ourselves, that it is a very beautiful thing, and that hopefully we can bring another star to this shield.”

When asked if he had spoken to his idol, Andres Iniesta, about the World Cup, the 19-year-old replied: “I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to him about the World Cup, I did talk about other things, especially when I had injuries, so that I could improve.”

On how the success of the Barcelona and Spain teams of the past influenced him while growing up, Pedri said: “The generations before us that have won everything make it difficult for those of us who come here, but we are Barça and the national team and we must fight to win everything.”

Barcelona’s season so far

Barcelona ended the first half of the campaign before the World Cup break as the leaders of La Liga following a hard-fought comeback win against Osasuna in their previous match.

And Pedri insisted that it was important that the team finished on top heading into the break, saying: “Yes, it was the goal we set ourselves before the game against Osasuna and that’s how it was, so we’re very happy.”

Talking about the character the team showed against Osasuna, to come back from a goal down that too with ten men, Pedri added:

“It was a triumph with a lot of character. A game that became complicated due to the expulsion of Lewandowski, against a rival like Osasuna who put a lot of intensity and that made it even more difficult. At the break, we knew that we had to be strong and take advantage of the chances we had.”

Pedri himself was on target in that match, and claimed that he is working on improving his goal and assist tally, saying: “Yes, it is something that practically all the coaches I have had have asked me. I know it’s something I need to improve on.”

While Barcelona may be thriving in La Liga, their fate in the UEFA Champions League was much darker as they were eliminated from the group stages yet again.

“It was hard. We all wanted to be in the Champions League and continue fighting for it, but now in La Liga, we are doing well and we must focus on the other competitions,” said Pedri.

On how the dressing room dealt with the elimination, Pedri added: “We all wanted to be in the Champions League because it is a very important competition for us. 

“But we had many games and we had to think about La Liga, change the course after the elimination. I think we’ve done quite well because now the results are coming.”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta iterated recently that the club’s main goal now will be to win the La Liga title. Echoing the sentiments, Pedri said:

“It is a competition that rewards the most regular of all and you have to be constant to reach the lead at the end of the season. It is a title that we want to win and that is how we are fighting for it.”

When probed on what was different between the team’s displays in the league and Europe, the midfielder answered:

“In Europe, we were conceding many more goals. We watch the games with the coach and the staff, who help us improve many things. In the league, on the other hand, we are very strong at the back, very compact. And it is helping us win.”

With current champions Real Madrid just two points behind Barcelona, the title race seems set for a close finish.

“They are also doing everything possible to take the championship and they are competing to be winners again. They are dropping very few points and we have to take advantage of these games,” Pedri said.

A major talking point in Barcelona’s season so far came earlier this month when Gerard Pique announced his retirement out of the blue and Pedri insists it came as a surprise to him.

“He is a player that I like very much, he helped the youngsters a lot and gave us a lot of joy on a day-to-day basis. I didn’t know he was going to break the news and it was a blow to me, but I wish him all the best in his new life and I thank him for everything.”

Another major talking point surrounding Barça this term has been the refereeing decisions that have gone against them, with several calls made by match officials and VAR, particularly in the Champions League causing a lot of controversy.

But Pedri believes that the team must look beyond it and perform at a higher level, as he said: “We have to continue without seeing the referee, without waiting for the referee to call a penalty. We have to be Barça and be much better to win.”

On the tight schedule leading up to the World Cup, he added: “Thanks to the staff, who treat us in recovery. They help us a lot to face everything and recover sooner. Mentally, we face it for what it is. Every three days we have a final and we wanted to be leaders at the break.”

Spain national team and contenders for the World Cup

On Spain’s form heading into the World Cup, Pedri said: “For me very well. We come from a Euro Cup and a Nations League where we did very well. In the Euros, we reached the semifinals and I was sure that if we went to the final we would win it. 

“In the Nations League I could hardly play, but the team was very good. We are a very good group and it shows on the pitch.”

On whether he can visualise Spain winning the World Cup, Pedri added: “Yes, why not. You have to focus first on the group stage and then on the qualifying rounds, but we have a team to be able to compete.”

Talking about how the Spanish team was greater than the sum of its parts, the youngster said: “We don’t have a megastar, the group is our best star. When you all run together and everyone knows what they want and what they’re playing for, I think you have a lot done and a good chance of winning.”

Spain are drawn in a group that also comprises Costa Rica, Japan and Germany. Giving his take on La Roja’s opponents, Pedri said:

“I have seen less of Costa Rica and Japan than Germany, which is one of the great teams. They are very physical teams that can play three games in a row. We will have to play a great game against everyone.”

On who he sees as the favourites to win the World Cup, the Barcelona youngster replied: “I think that Brazil and Argentina have two great teams. Brazil because they have incredible quality and Argentina because they have the best player.”

Talking about his individual goal for the World Cup, he said: “Above all, help as much as possible and try to score that first goal with the Spanish team, which would be great if it was in a World Cup.”

Pedri signed off with the following message to the Spain fans: “We are going to the World Cup with everything, with a lot of desire to give them happiness. That they support us from home or from Qatar, if they have the opportunity to be there. Let’s give it our all.”