Pedri's best games for FC Barcelona
The winner of the 2021 Golden Boy award is Pedri González. The prize given by Italian newspaper Tuttosport every year to the best player in Europe under the age of 21 has gone to the teenager from the Canary Islands who stunned the world with an amazing first season as a blaugrana. Pedri pipped the likes of Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood and Jamal Musiala to the award and so to mark the occasion we take a look at five of his most memorable performances from the midfielder in a Barça shirt.
Barça 5-1 Ferencvaros
Pedri scored his first goal for the blaugranes in his first game in the Champions League for Barça against Hungarian side side Ferencvaros. The midfielder scored the final goal in the victory after some great work from Ousmane Dembélé. Only Ansu Fati and Bojan Krkic have scored goals in the Champions League for Barça at a younger age.
Barça 5–2 Betis
Just days after his goal in the Champions League, Pedri opened his account for Barça in La Liga. The lad from Tenerife played all 90 minutes and rounded off an excellent win for the blaugranes with their fifth of the game, courtesy of a pass from Sergi Roberto. In no time at all, Pedri had become a key component in coach Ronald Koeman's Barça team.
Juventus 0–2 Barça
Pedri's first real masterful performance on the world stage came in an excellent win for Barça away against Italian giants Juventus. At just 17 years of age, the blaugrana dominated the midfield with a successful passing rate of 95% and six recoveries. Stats that show the complete performance from a complete player.
Athletic Club 2–3 Barça
Pedri González's next memorable game came in San Mamés against Athletic Club de Bilbao. A great cross from Frenkie de Jong allowed the midfielder to head home the opener in the 3-2 win for Barça. Perhaps even better was his backheeled pass for Leo Messi to score the second blaugrana goal. Pedri was one again key away from home in a difficult venue, just as he had been in Turin.
Athletic Club 0–4 Barça
The same opposition but a different competition. In the La Cartuja stadium the midfielder played 81 minutes of the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club. The teenager dominated the midfield and played a huge role in helping Ronald Koeman's team lift the trophy in Seville.