Pedri, shining bright

Pure admiration. A ripple of pleasure spread through the Barça fans. Pedri is an outstanding, superb player and simply wonderful to watch. The Canary Islander has an excellent skillset, which he showcased again during the goal fest against Athletic Bilbao (4-0). 

It was the 78th minute of the LaLiga match when Barça's number 16 left the Camp Nou gobsmacked - and Balenziaga looking for the ball. The midfielder did a superb back-heel nutmeg through the defender's legs while under pressure. A spellbinding moment overflowing with talent on the touchline close to Ter Stegen's goal. A skill that only a chosen few can perform that even worried Pedri himself, with the Barça midfielder confessing that he "was petrified about losing the ball".

Now, a performance from one of the Dream Teen shouldn't be boiled down to just one piece of skill. "It's not just the nutmeg, it's his understanding of football that stands out. He keeps the ball, he operates between the lines behind the defensive midfielders...", explained Xavi Hernández. A delighted coach who feels honoured to have the young player: "Pedri is a unique talent. In talent terms, he's the best in the world".

Dominating the stats

At the age of 19 years old, he already dominates the tangible and intangible. He carries the baton for the Barça style of play, helping to develop the chance for Luuk de Jong to make it 3-0. He progressed possession before igniting Dembélé's run, finished by the Dutch forward. The pace of the game and the statistics both bear witness to the Canary Islander's conduction. The stats against Athletic Bilbao are simply stunning. He completed 100% of dribbles, had a 93.5% pass accuracy overall, and a 91.9% pass accuracy in the opponent's half.

A demonstration of this young player's impudence. He doesn't shy away when putting Xavi's football ideas into practice. "We are playing very well and passing the ball very quickly", explained the exhausted Barça number 16. Pedri knits Barça together and has already been described in a plethora of glowing terms. "We are witnessing an amazing player", stated Dani Alves.

The player shares similarities to some of the great names from Barça's past. "He really reminds me of Andrés Iniesta", professed Xavi - only the teammate of Barça's legendary number 8 and Pedri's coach. This young player provides such great sensations when he has the ball at his feet.