Pedri talks Messi, Flick, Raphinha, Lamine, Real Madrid, Ballon d’Or - ‘Why can’t I dream of winning it one day?’
Following his nomination for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award, Barcelona and Spain midfielder granted an extensive interview to France Football (h/t Mundo Deportivo), speaking about various topics related to his club and teammates.Last year saw the Ballon d’Or award go to a midfielder as Pedri’s Spain teammate Rodri won the golden orb, ahead of Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. As such, Pedri insisted that it makes him dream of winning the top prize.AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“The Ballon d’Or often goes to forwards, but Rodri ‘s award shows that the role of midfielders needs to be valued more. Why can’t I dream of winning it one day?”“But I’m not the one who decides who is the best. There are people more qualified to judge, especially those who vote for individual awards,” he noted.The Barcelona midfielder also briefly touched upon his experience of playing with record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, saying how he always looked for the Argentine on the pitch.I always passed the ball to Messi. Clearly, he was better than me. He was incredible in training; we were lucky to see him,” he said.AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementTalking about Messi’s shock exit in 2021, Pedri added: “It was a shock when Leo Messi left. I was playing in the Olympics, and I found it hard to believe.”On his special seasonPedri credited last season’s spectacular form with Barcelona, whom he helped win the domestic treble, for his Ballon d’Or nomination, saying:“I worked hard last season, and I think I performed at a very good level. On a collective level, things also went very well. On a personal level, I felt very comfortable and found the consistency I was looking for last season.“The coach placed his trust in me, which is essential for me to be able to give my all.”Highlighting his most memorable moment from the 2024/25 season, he said: “If I had to keep one image in my memory, it would be the goal I scored in the Copa del Rey final. It was special, especially with my family in the stands.”AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementOn his style and objectivesThe Canary Islander compared his relationship with football to that of Brazilian street players, saying:“I feel like a Brazilian player. We often hear about those players who play with a smile, on the street or on the beach, just for fun. In the Canary Islands, it’s very similar: we enjoy it wherever we are.”Pedri has a strong connection with Raphinha. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)At the same time, Pedri also highlighted his special connection with his Barcelona teammate Raphinha, as he said:“Raphinha is a crack at moving to take advantage of space, so we understand each other well on the field. Off the field, we also get along well, to the point that he calls me ‘Pedrinho.'”Pedri admitted he does not have the physique of some rivals, but compensates for it in other ways.AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“It’s true that I don’t have the physical build of some stronger players, but I try to make up for it in other ways. I try to think faster than others and gain a mental advantage,” he noted.“And when we need to get serious, I’m usually the first one. I love training and working hard, because I know that’s what will make the difference in matches.”Pedri then reaffirmed that Barcelona’s top objective for the 2025/26 season is to win the UEFA Champions League after the semi-final heartbreak against Inter Milan last time out.“Collectively, we were very good last season, but the defeat against Inter is still fresh in our minds. We’ve improved compared to the 2023/24 season, and we want to improve this season compared to the 2024/25 season,” he said.AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“It’s clear: reaching the Champions League final,” he added when asked about his main objective.Pedri also revealed that he cannot wait to get back to playing at Spotify Camp Nou, saying: “Camp Nou means a lot to us. We miss playing there a lot. The atmosphere there is completely different from that at the Montjuic stadium.”On Flick and his teammatesTalking about manager Hansi Flick and the kind of impact that the German has had on him and the rest of the team, Pedri remarked:“We’ve managed to rebuild ourselves. We’ve formed a new group, we know each other better, and young talents capable of making a difference have emerged. Today we’re a great team. I’m convinced we’ll reach an incredible level.”Continuing, he added: “Having a coach who fully believes in me helps me stay calm and enjoy my life as a player. From the outside, Hansi Flick may seem serious, but in reality, he’s like a father to us, always attentive to our needs.”Pedri is thriving under Hansi Flick. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementPedri also highlighted the close bond within the Barcelona squad and the blend of youth and experience, saying:“These young players came to Barcelona as children, and they carry the club’s philosophy within them. Here, the style of play is instilled from a young age and is very similar to that of the first team.“This generational mix is working very well. There are a lot of young players, we have a lot of fun, and we joke around all day. For example, Lewandowski is quite serious in training, while Lamine Yamal loves to gently tease him.”Pedri also spoke about Barcelona’s bitter rivals Real Madrid, highlighting the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham as top players.AdvertisementAdvertisement Advertisement“Real Madrid have a lot of very good players. When Mbappe has the ball and is in a one-on-one situation, it’s very difficult to stop him,” he said.“And Jude Bellingham is truly incredible. He combines physical strength with technical skill, which makes him extremely difficult to play against,” he added.Finally, he noted the value of a proper holiday and rest between seasons, saying: “I feel good. It was great to finally be able to enjoy a long vacation this time.“The difference between the teams that played the Club World Cup until July and those that had a longer break will be noticeable, whether we like it or not.”
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