Pedri has won the hearts of every culer this season, and his recent statement might melt your heart even more. He admitted that he preferred a treble with Barca rather than the glorified golden ball, and this mentality is big. His performance, attitude, and priorities show he is on the path to becoming an FC Barcelona icon.
Pedri’s Selfless words show Barcelona is Really More Than a Club
The 22-year-old said:
“I would rather win the treble than the Ballon d’Or. If the Ballon d’Or comes, I want it to come alongside the collective titles.”
This mentality is exciting for every Barcelona fan, and it’s a manifesto of Barcelona’s DNA. The current footballing era is quite wild, and in recent years, individual accolades have often been prioritized more than team glory. Neymar Junior’s exit is a prime example of this.
However, Pedri Gonzalez’s stance is refreshing and hopeful. This mentality makes players legends, and the Iniesta heir is on the right path.
Unpopular Opinion: Pedri deserves the Balon D’or as much as Raphinha
I know Raphinha has been Barcelona’s star and match-winner this season. After all, the Brazilian’s 47 G/A in 42 games sparkles brighter on paper. However, Pedri’s influence, quieter as it is, is equal, if not higher. It has been subtle but game-changing.
Football these days is all about stepovers, shooting and goalscoring, and the real dictators of the game sometimes get overshadowed. Pedri’s game dictation has been elite: around 1.8 key passes per game, a shocking 6.51 expected assists per game, and 93% pass accuracy show he has been Barcelona’s ace player. Defensively, his ball recovery and press resistance have also been phenomenal. The Spaniard’s genius is underrated, and in my opinion, the ex-Las Palmas player deserves the golden ball as much as Raphinha.
Pedri’s Leadership in the Final Phase Will Decide Barcelona’s Season
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: Pedri Potter’s magic will decide the Blaugrana’s season as we enter the final phase. That’s because he does the most important feats of the footballing game. He recycles possession or picks up a defense-splitting pass that ends up in a goal. It’s the 22-year-old’s poise that has been driving Barcelona, and that’s why he will be key in deciding Barcelona’s season this year.
And if Barcelona’s treble dream becomes a reality, we will know who the real architect will be. He might not be the favorite for the supreme individual accolade, but we all will know that Pedri was the Barcelona boy who chose ‘we’ over ‘me.’