Barcelona legend hints at farewell match with former teammates – ‘Spoken about it with Laporta’ | OneFootball

At 37 years of age, Barcelona legend Pedro Rodriguez still has an impact on the European top-flight. In fact, it was his late brace for Lazio against Inter that dealt the Nerazzurri the final blow in the Serie A title race.

Last season, he scored ten goals and provided one assist for Lazio in the Serie A and stood out as a great campaigner given his age. Now, however, the player is slowing down and beginning to speak about a possible end to his playing days.

Speaking to the media in a recent interview, the Barcelona legend opened up on his final dance, his memories at the club and the current Barcelona team, praising Hansi Flick’s men.

Pedro’s detailed interview

The star forward first began by addressing a question on a possible final dance at Barcelona – the club where he spent the bulk of his career and saw his most successful stint.

“I’ve spoken about it even with Laporta, about playing a friendly match with some of my former teammates as a kind of farewell. This is something I’d love to do because of everything Barcelona has meant to me,” he said, indicating that talks were in place.

Elaborating on what Barcelona meant to him in his career and how it would always be special, he said,

“Because I was a huge fan of the team since I was a child, I was fortunate to undoubtedly live the best period of my career in that team.”

“There too, I believe I went from being a kid to becoming a man and a better player, I improved in every aspect of my life at Barcelona,” he added.

Speaking on Barcelona’s recent season under Hansi Flick and how they were very unfortunate in the UEFA Champions League, the club legend said,

“Barcelona delivered a fantastic season; unfortunately, the Champions League ended in that manner. It was a very harsh ending; they could have achieved a golden season, but sadly, that’s what happened.”

He then urged the youngsters to take the result in Europe as a lesson and learn from their mistakes for next season.

“I believe what happened can be taken as a lesson, a motivation, and an opportunity for revenge this year, with the desire to try again to win the Champions League. And as I said, it was a remarkable season in every aspect.”

Pedro excited by Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Pedro even praised the young core of Flick’s side and named some of the players who impress him and have golden futures ahead.

“They have a young team, and it’s certain that they will grow much more in the future with high quality from all the players and big stars despite their young age, like Pedri, Lamine.”

“Other players delivering astonishing levels include Gavi, Fermin, and others. All of these are graduates of Barcelona’s academy who are proving their worth, and I hope they continue to bring a lot of joy to all Barcelona fans,” he added.

Finally, he was asked what he would do to address Barcelona’s lacuna on the left wing, especially given the recent Nico Williams saga and how it has left the board traumatised.

“If you ask me personally, and looking at the performance currently shown by the academy players, I would definitely prefer to choose a player from La Masia who can be worked on and developed, a player who has the right level to play for Barcelona,” he began, choosing a homegrown player over a signing.

“I might lean more toward a player of this type. Naturally, people always get excited when a player comes from outside; bringing in a big star or a famous player always creates a kind of anticipation, joy, and excitement,” he added.

He then also spoke on how signing a new player may not be a bad idea, given the club’s situation and future objectives.

“But as I said, I think what Barcelona needs now is perhaps to bring in one or two players from outside, and the rest should be about continuing to build on the academy players, as they are doing now.”

“I believe they are doing a fantastic job at the academy level, and we have seen that,” he added.

Source: Jijantes FC