Pedri talks Messi, Euros, Ramos, and Iniesta | OneFootball

FC Barcelona star Pedri Gonzalez recently gave a detailed interview with Mundo Deportivo. The interview revealed many interesting perspectives and unknown facts about the young midfielders personal and professional life. From football idols to his hectic first year at Barcelona, this interview covered it all.

When asked about his meteoric rise from Las Palmas last season to now starting games in the Euros, the Canary Islander said, “From the first moment it has been a surprise. I wasn’t expecting anything to happen from what has happened. I’ve taken it normally, calmly. I try to live day by day and enjoy.”

As is in the minds of many, Pedri was then questioned as to whether it was scary to constantly be in the spotlight at such a tender age. To this, Pedri replied, “As I said, I try to take it easy. What I like is to enjoy football and when you enjoy it is when things turn out well.”

Pedri, who started Spain’s Euro opener against Sweden, was asked if he knew of the decision beforehand. To this, he said, “No. I came here thinking I wish I could play a minute of the Euros. I had to play a great game and work for the team as the manager had asked me.”

In a game where all the forwards and midfielders made their way out during the game for substitutions, the Barcelona midfielder was entrusted with playing the entire 90 minutes on debut.

His confident display garnered praise from former legends including Gary Lineker, Cesc, Rio Ferdinand, and Valdano. When prompted about the same, Pedri replied, “It is a pride when good footballers or former stars praise you. It gives you the motivation to continue working day by day, preparing so that more praise can come.”

The young star was then quizzed on his ‘street football’ style of play and movements, to which he responded saying, “Yes. I really like that, playing with friends with a ball and little else. Sometimes you put two stones as a goal. I love that and there’s a lot you can learn from.”

He further added, “Yes [street football is getting lost]. Football now is much more physical, more orderly, but I think street footballers who have the quality need to join a team to bring that magic that can be essential for them.”

As part of the Spanish National Team, the midfielder was in the middle of the COVID mess that the side was involved in after Sergio Busquets tested positive. When asked to comment on the topic, Pedri said, “It was all very strange, but we had to adapt to what the doctors and coaches told us. It was different, but with the same intention of working to arrive at the first game well.”

Barcelona’s number 16 was then asked if his style of football was similar to the legendary Andres Iniesta. To this, Pedri disagreed saying, “I think not because Iniesta is my reference and his game is very different from mine. For me, he did things that I can’t.”

He then went on to comment on Iniesta’s exhilarating World Cup final goal that made Spain the 2010 World Champions. To this, he said, “That would be a dream. I can’t imagine it, but I hope it can happen.”

“Every time I see Iniesta’s 2010 World Cup-winning goal, I get goosebumps…It’s good when they compare you with people like Iniesta, but I have to be Pedri and have my career.”

The interview then proceeded to questions on Ronald Koeman confirmed continuity. Pedri responded saying, “I have to be very grateful to Koeman. He has bet a lot on me and has given me a lot of confidence. His staying is good news.”

The 18-year-old was then asked why he was given an early vacation to the season for Barcelona. Pedri said, “I was tired, but I am a player that if you put me to play I try to comply and always give my best. It was a decision of the coach who spoke with me and I thank him for giving me that rest.”

When asked about Lionel Messi’s continuity and future at Barcelona, Pedri replied, “For me, I hope he stays. I haven’t talked to him about it. It is a decision for him to make.”

The departure of Sergio Ramos from Real Madrid has been the running headline in Spanish Media since the confirmation on Wednesday. When asked if he could imagine a Real Madrid without Ramos, Pedri said, “The truth is no, I thought he was going to continue.”

He was then asked where he sees himself in five years time, to which he responded saying, “I look very calm, like now, enjoying football and being the best possible – if you have a cool head and you know what you have to do. I hope to be better than I am today.”