Barcelona midfield sensation Pedri recently gave a candid interview to ICON magazine, during which the 19-year-old discussed the upcoming FIFA World Cup, his idols as well as his collapsed transfer to Real Madrid.
Kicking things off, Pedri explained that he is a very bad loser and does not like to face defeat, saying (h/t Mundo Deportivo):
“I feel very sad when I lose, even if it's in video games. I don't play with Pedri on FIFA on the PlayStation. If I am going to lose in video games, I'd rather lose playing Messi or Cristiano.”
Talking about the style of play he likes, Pedri revealed that he prefers to be playing attractive football that can be enjoyable to spectators.
“I prefer playing attractive football for the spectator. It is not always possible to enjoy while you play, but it is winning that I really enjoy,” he said.
Given his form, Pedri is pretty much confirmed to be a part of the Spain squad for the FIFA World Cup later this month. Ahead of what will be his first-ever World Cup, the 19-year-old claimed that Andres Iniesta's goal in the 2010 final was firmly etched in his memory.
“I went crazy with Iniesta's goal in the World Cup final. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I imagined myself scoring like this, but it's better not to be obsessed with it,” he said.
“We have to play the first game, then the second and continue like this as far as we can go. If it's to the final and we end up winning it, I won't care who scores the winning goal, because I'll go even crazier than with Andres' goal.”
When asked to name the favourites for the tournament, Pedri picked Argentina, citing that they had Lionel Messi, who, according to him, is still the best in the world.
“I see Argentina as one of the favorites to win, especially with Messi, who is still the best in the world, especially as it is his last World Cup and he will do everything he can to win it.”
Pedri also name-checked Brazil and France as possible contenders and refused to rule out the Netherlands as well, saying:
“Frenkie de Jong always tells me that he is very excited to play this World Cup, that they [Netherlands] have a very strong team and they are going to make a splash. I have already told him to not forget about us.”
Before his transfer to Barcelona, Pedri was close to signing for Real Madrid. He had trialled with the Spanish capital club, but they ended up rejecting the teenager, eventually paving the way for him to land at Camp Nou.
And, Pedri insisted that even though he would have signed for Real Madrid if they accepted him, everything worked out well for him as he landed at his 'dream club'.
“I think so. My ambition was to make my way as a professional footballer and it would have been very difficult to refuse the offer of one of the greats in the history of this sport. That train passed and two years later I ended up signing for the team of my dreams,” he said.
Revealing his admiration for Iniesta, Pedri said: “My first idol and my family's favorite player is Andres Iniesta. I have been a Barcelona admirer since childhood.”