"He reminds me of Andrés Iniesta, I have seen few talents like him in my life".
If these words are pronounced by Xavi Hernandez, now manager of Barcelona and before the legendary midfielder, it means that the qualities and potential are really of the highest level.
Pedri is not afraid of the many wonderful words that are said about him in Barcelona and around Europe: this little boy was born in November 2002, he has already won the Golden Boy and in the Barça locker room he is loved by his teammates, Xavi, members of the board. Lots of humility for a future champion with an excellent level.
But there is an incredible story about him dating back to August 2020. Remember that crazy edition of the Champions League? Due to Covid emergency, the final part of the competition was played in August.
It was a terrible night for Barcelona: an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich at Camp Nou and the lowest point in the club's recent history.
Pedri was officially a Barça player for a few months but not yet available in August: he came from Las Palmas, he was able to start the pre-season in September to join Ronald Koeman's team.
His talent was already there for everyone to see right at Las Palmas where Ramon Planes, former Barça sport director, identifies him.
Ramon Planes was convinced of Pedri's skills, and he was considered a potential champion. Planes was not afraid to approve an investment to buy him even in a difficult economic moment for Barça.
There are also criticisms because the club is used to believing in La Masia's talents and not buying them elsewhere, but Planes manages to conclude an incredible deal: €5 million guaranteed plus add-ons over the years.
In particular, Barça could pay just under €20 million total in the event of achieving all the variables for Pedri. Simply a masterpiece.
But the day after Barça-Bayern 2-8 at the Camp Nou a phone call came... right from the board of the German club. Just over 36 hours had passed since the Champions League shocking night, Barcelona did not expect direct contact from Bayern.
The request came directly from the board and from the director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: Bayern asked for information from Barcelona to sign Pedri immediately, even with the availability for a loan deal with a buy option.
There was no fear of negative responses despite a resounding 2-8 in the Champions League quarter finals a few hours before, indeed the desire to start a negotiation.
Everyone was very surprised inside Barcelona: while believing so much in Pedri's talent and potential, no one expected Bayern to take immediate action to buy him a few weeks after the agreement with Las Palmas.
Pedri himself was surprised, also because his dream has always been very clear: to play for Barça, the desire for a lifetime for Spanish talent.
Bayern were destined to become European champions, with enormous financial resources and an immediately winning project to offer to Pedri. But none of this has ever tempted him.
The response from the Catalan club was clear: no possibility of selling Pedri, not even with the loan with future buy option formula.
Barcelona had bought him to insert Pedri immediately in the first team with the belief that they had found a treasure for the future of the club thanks to the work of Ramon Planes.
The deal collapsed quickly and Barcelona never really thought of selling Pedri despite the interest of many top clubs even following the call from Bayern.
A price has never been made for the young Spanish star, as he is considered too important a player in the rebuilding process of Barcelona.
Also of note is the extraordinary loyalty to the club by Pedri himself in recent months.
Yes, because the negotiations for the extension of his contract started at a very complicated financial moment for Barcelona: Pedri's contract could have been an opportunity for many clubs to offer an excellent salary and try to take him away from Catalonia.
Nothing to do with Pedri because his dream is called Barça, the Camp Nou is his favorite stage and he never intended to give up this opportunity. It is no coincidence that the fans today treat him like a real Golden Boy.
The clause in his contract is confirmed: there is a €1 billion release clause in the agreement until 30 June 2026 with Barcelona, a sign of loyalty accepted by Pedri and approved by the club to prevent other top European teams from approaching the Spanish star in the next few years.
A love story that delights the Camp Nou, despite the Bayern phone calls that will remain only a reminder of a terrible summer for Barça. But at least Pedri remained at home, where today he is a king.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 11th March 2022
