Pedri spoke about Busquets’ replacement, Gavi’s temperament, Messi’s World Cup win, Dembele’s situation after losing the World Cup Final, his physical fitness, Luis Enrique’s departure, and comparisons with Xavi and Iniesta in his recent interview with Catalunya Ràdio after being awarded the Kubala Trophy by Catalunya Radio for the best goal of 2022 from Catalonia.
Pedri on Messi winning the World Cup:
“Messi is the greatest player of all time. I’ve always said it. If we didn’t have the chance to win it, let Argentina and Leo Messi do it, he deserved it.”
Pedri on congratulating Messi:
“I still haven’t sent Messi a message to congratulate him. I’m sure he got a lot of messages. In a few days, I’ll send it to him, so he can see it.”
Pedri on his relationship with Gavi:
“I have a special relationship with Gavi, we are always joking both on and off the pitch. We understand each other very well off the pitch and you can see how we do it on the pitch. He is a player with huge qualities, we have to enjoy him and teach him to control himself.”
Pedri on Gavi’s temperament:
“Gavi doesn’t get nervous in matches. It’s his game. He has fun, and he goes into every action at one hundred percent. That’s one of the things that makes him great, he doesn’t get nervous. It’s a pleasure to have him around.”
Pedri on Sergio Busquets’ role:
“Busquets is a player who positions himself very well, he loses very few possessions and If he positions himself well, automatically his teammates are also well positioned.”
Pedri on Busquets’ continuity:
“I hope Busquets stays at Barça for a long time. He is a key player. I love playing with him. It seems that people don’t see his work, but when he’s not on the pitch we notice it. I hope he stays for a long time.”
Pedri on Busquets’ replacement:
“I don’t know. It’s not my decision. Xavi will make a decision. Frenkie could be a good replacement for Sergio Busquets in the pivot position.”
Pedri on his fitness level:
“I’m fine. It’s been five games in a row, very demanding, but we’ve had time to recover and there’s still time before the match against Espanyol.”
Pedri on getting over the World Cup exit:
“Yes, I think it’s been a while and we have to focus on what’s coming. We have to change our mindset and get into Barca mode.”
Pedri on Luis Enrique:
“Luis Enrique has always helped me a lot, he is a coach who transmits things very well. He made a good group and I think he deserved more at the World Cup. It’s a shame, but now it’s time to be with Luis de la Fuente.”
Pedri on Dembele and Kounde:
“When they come here we’ll encourage them to change their mindset and get into Barça mode. I don’t know what Dembele is thinking right now, but I’m sure he was hurt. He’s a player who is now much more professional than before and it shows.”
Pedri on comparisons with Xavi and Iniesta:
“It’s true that at our age, they weren’t where we are, but then, they were spectacular, much better than what Gavi and I are giving at the moment. We still have a long way to go.”
Do you feel like a veteran?
“There are a lot of young players but I don’t feel like a veteran because there are people who are much more in charge than me, like Busquets, Alba and I think I still have a long way to go, but I like to help players like Gavi or Balde.”
Do you like scoring goals:
“Of course, everyone likes it, even goalkeepers. Scoring goals or providing assists is always good.”