Pedri talks Flick, Gavi, Olmo, Ferran, Xavi, Iniesta, Ballon d’Or | OneFootball

Pedri is enjoying the best season of his career and has been the driving force behind Barcelona’s successful campaign thus far.

The 22-year-old has played an integral role in the team’s Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey triumphs this season, even scoring a goal in the final against Real Madrid this past weekend.

With the treble very much on the agenda for Barcelona, Pedri is now in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or this year, along with his teammates like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.

Speaking to the media recently, Pedri has opened up about his ambitions, his coach, and his early memories as a Barcelona fan.

Discussing the possibility of the Ballon d’Or win, he said: “Since Rodri won the Ballon d’Or, it has become clear that a player who controls the midfield and dictates the rhythm of play can win this award. It has always been my dream to lift the Ballon d’Or.

However, Pedri made it clear that his full focus is on winning titles with the team and not individual honours, saying:

“But currently, there is one month left, and my focus is on the team – on winning the three titles, and that is the most important thing at the moment. After this month ends, we will see if we can start talking about such matters.”

Pedri also spoke warmly about his relationship with new coach Hansi Flick, describing the German’s impact both on and off the pitch.

“Flick is like a father to us,” he stated.

“He always tries to take care of us. He is there to support you if you do not play, and he always tries to help you,” continued Pedri.

“And besides being strict – which is something you can notice from the outside – the side you do not see is that he stands by you when you go through a bad period. He talks to you and asks how you are.”

The midfielder admitted that adapting to Flick’s high defensive line was not easy at first, saying:

“It was difficult to adapt to the high defensive line, especially when I was watching it from the outside during the pre-season preparations.

“But from the start, I think the team executed it well. And when you see that the coach’s idea is succeeding, it gives you much more confidence.”

Ballon d’Or contender. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Looking back at his early experiences as a Barcelona fan, Pedri recalled the 2015 treble-winning season fondly:

“I specifically remember the final and [Ivan] Rakitic’s goal. It was a match I enjoyed a lot with the supporters’ club.

“It was an amazing final, especially thanks to the playing style presented by the front three [Neymar, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi]. They were real stars with incredible numbers, and their football was very enjoyable to watch.”

As for his inspirations, Pedri explained how watching legends like Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez shaped his development, saying:

“By watching a lot of matches on television and videos of Andres and Xavi, I think something sticks with you. You try to imitate them, you try to train in their style, but it is difficult to reach their level.

“So, you try to improve every day so that one day you might be able to do what they did. I used to watch a lot of videos of Iniesta, who was my idol, and I tried to imitate what he did, whether in dribbles or how he protected the ball.

“Sometimes you succeed in imitating him, and sometimes you find it difficult because it is not easy, but you keep trying in the best possible way.”

Pedri also spoke about how his family, particularly his father, instilled in him a deep love for Barcelona from a young age.

“My father instilled in me a love for the club from a young age. I always used to go to watch the matches in the supporters’ club, and I always wanted them to win, and now I enjoy it from the inside,” said Pedri.

“I am living everything I dreamed of, and now it means everything to me.”

Finally, he shared some words about his close teammates, praising their qualities both on and off the pitch.

About Gavi, he said: “A wonderful person. If he is with you, he is with you until death, and ready to go with you anywhere you need. This is a fundamental trait in his personality.”

Discussing Dani Olmo, Pedri remarked: “You often find him surrounded by four defenders, and with just one touch, these four disappear, and he finds himself facing the goal.”

And about Ferran Torres, he said: “Ferran is like a brother to me. I think he is the person who helped me the most – on and off the pitch. Beyond the goals he scores, he is the one who works the hardest in every training session, and always seeks to improve.”

Source: FCBWorld