Pedro, who recently retired, spoke to Sport about his time at Barcelona and the help he received from Guardiola, among other topics.
Did you experience that pre-match nervousness that players talk about right up until the last moment of your career?
Yes, of course. There's always that tension and anxiety on the field; it's inherent to competitive sports. Ultimately, when you play for a big club, with countless eyes on you, you feel the responsibility to give your all, and that nervousness is always there.
It’s been a long time since your last interview, why?
I've always said I don't like interviews. When I became famous at a young age, the spotlight and pressure were overwhelming. After moving to several clubs, I tried to minimize my exposure. While I still accept some interviews, and media communication is important, given my personality, I prefer to stay somewhat out of the public eye.
That's also part of the profession.
I had several highlights in my career, such as my time at Barcelona and playing for the national team, which were probably my best years. Back then, I was at the center of public attention and did more interviews. Later, after moving to other teams and different football cultures, I gradually stepped away from the cameras. Generally, though, when the media comes to interview me, I try to cooperate. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable in front of the camera; I just deliberately reduce my exposure to focus more on my family, matches, and football itself, minimizing media-related affairs.
Xavi said you are one of the most underrated players in recent years. Do you agree with that assessment?
I don't think so, perhaps only on a media level. Early in my career, I won countless honors, played for top teams, and was on the main stage. But later, perhaps due to my personality, coupled with rarely attending press conferences or speaking on social media, I gradually faded from public view, as if I were in an unnoticed zone.
Everyone has their own way of doing things.
But that has never been the most important thing. What matters most is delivering top performances, taking your work seriously, competing with all your might, and playing alongside great stars, like those who are here with me today. I have always given my best. When I decided to retire, I could say with a clear conscience that I had given everything and achieved all I could. Could I have achieved more...
More honors?
Exactly. I lost a few finals. I had hoped to win another trophy in Italy, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. But that's a career, that's football; you can't always win. There are highs and lows. Through thick and thin, no matter which club I was at, I always maintained a consistent performance level. I am satisfied and proud of my career and the teams I played for, and that's what's most important to me.
But you’ve won almost every trophy there is!
But there are still those regrets from the finals… The Coppa Italia final was a great pity; I really wanted to win that trophy and bring joy to the fans. When you are a winner with many honors, you constantly crave to keep winning. I am very ambitious myself and always want to improve, give my best, and keep winning titles. But some things are beyond your control: you give your all, you focus intensely, and in the end, you still can't win.
What kind of teenager was Pedro when Guardiola scouted you for Barcelona C in 2006?
The same person I am now. A passionate child, full of dreams, who came to this city wanting to prove he could make football his profession, with huge dreams and ambitions. But I often say that what you expect of yourself, and what you imagine you can achieve in the future, are two completely different things from reality.
Did reality exceed your initial expectations?
I came with great aspirations, eager to learn. I came from a very small team in Tenerife, and almost all my teammates were childhood friends. Here, youth academy teammates like Fàbregas and Piqué were already making their mark and were considered promising, while I was just from a small club. Fortunately, during my youth academy days, I met excellent coaches: Chuteke Rojo, Guardiola, and Vilanova. They later gave me the opportunity to move up to the first team, and I've been on this journey ever since.
Do you remember the day Guardiola changed your life?
I remember it clearly. All the players were on edge because we knew the C team was about to be disbanded, and it would be very difficult for all 25 players to get into the B team; the door of opportunity was almost closed. Guardiola called me into his office for a talk and told me I was one of those who would get a chance, and whether I seized it was entirely up to me.
What else did he say?
He said: "If you approach training with the mindset that 'this is your last chance, and you could be eliminated like your other teammates,' then whether you succeed is in your hands." I knew very well that this was my last chance, and I grabbed it with all my might. It was an ultimatum, and I got to train under Pep Guardiola, a legend. Everything I learned from him has benefited me for life.
Was that the best season of your life?
Without a doubt, it was the season that changed my life. As I just said, I knew I had to work several times harder than the other players. I was very determined: if I wanted to move forward at Barcelona, I had to completely transform myself, train harder than everyone else, and stand out. That was the beginning of my true hard work.
What extra training did you do?
I stayed on the training ground much longer than my teammates for extra practice. Pep pointed out areas where I needed to improve, and I worked on them repeatedly, putting in effort both on and off the pitch. I took it very seriously, and all my subsequent achievements stemmed from that period.
What qualities does Guardiola possess that other coaches don't?
Guardiola's most striking qualities are his extreme perfectionism and his way of reading the game. When a match gets tough, he always finds solutions, understands the flow of the game, and adapts flexibly to opponents. Many coaches can't reach that level. Of course, there are many top coaches I haven't had the chance to work with, like Ancelotti and Klopp, who are among the world's best. But what makes Pep unique is this pursuit of perfection, his understanding of football, and his in-game adjustments. During the week, he plans how the team will win and how they'll achieve it, and he communicates that vision to the players. He can motivate you and explain clearly: if we do this, we'll win the game, and everything will go smoothly in training and on the field. He has proven this with every team and every type of player, uncovering multiple possibilities within them. That makes him unique.
How did you view it at the time?
As you said, people thought the name was endearing and liked me. Young, slender... Every time I touched the ball, cheers erupted from the stands, and people kept shouting my name. Many young players promoted from the academy receive such a welcome on their debut; fans saw me with goodwill, I was very likable.
That was the beginning of everything.
At the time, I never imagined I could stay in the first team and play alongside Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry, Giuly, Messi. It was unimaginable to secure a spot in that squad. The experience was so surreal. I just thought it was a one-time thing. Honestly, I thought, "Okay, I've made it this far, just enjoy it," with my family and friends by my side.
Fortunately, you didn't stop there.
Well, you always hope to stay, but hope becoming reality is another thing. At that moment, I just wanted to enjoy the present and share it with those who supported me. To have had that appearance was already enough for me!
Coincidentally, I got to play because a teammate suddenly felt unwell, which gave me my debut… I wasn’t even considered a first-team member; I wasn't like those players who regularly traveled with the team for both competitions and got consistent playing time. This appearance was very coincidental, a pure accident. That’s what I thought at the time: “How lucky I am to play for the first team, to make my debut!” Even if it was just for one minute, just two touches of the ball. And the fans gave me a warm welcome because of this opportunity. It was truly unforgettable.
That squad was full of stars.
I remember Iniesta, Puyol, and Xavi telling me, "From now on, you are Pedro. You're not here to replace anyone; you already have your own name, and your career officially begins now." Those words deeply moved me.
What was the most unforgettable moment of your career?
There are too many unforgettable moments. If I had to pick one, it would be the 2011 Wembley final. I started, scored the first goal, won the title, and celebrated with my family and fans. Of course, there was also the treble and the sextuple. There were ups and downs in my career, countless hours of hard work, making it difficult to single out one moment. In terms of a specific match, I'd choose that one; if we're talking about a milestone, it would be winning the sextuple. That was an incomparable, unique achievement.
Tell us more about that star-studded lineup.
Being among them, you feel incredibly small. I didn't even know where to sit or stand. In front of me were football legends like Ronaldinho, Messi, Eto'o, who played in the same position as me, changed jerseys with me, trained with me. That feeling was incredible; you were at the pinnacle of world football, there was no higher stage. Barcelona, the national team, winning the World Cup – these were the peaks. There's no stage that makes you think, "This is better"; there's no higher ground beyond the peak.
Many football legends have achieved less than half of your honors. Do you consider yourself a football legend?
The word "legend"...
Don't be so modest...
That word carries too much weight. Looking at the number of titles, indeed, as you said, I've won so many honors across multiple teams and countries, especially early in my career, so perhaps. But I'm not sure. Time will tell if I can be called a legend. For me, the affection shown by my teammates, the president, and all the fans who came to support me today is far more important than the title of "legend."
Indeed.
For me, this recognition is more valuable than being labeled a legend. Whether I am a legend or not, time will tell. I am at peace, satisfied with my achievements and the way I fought. Time will tell me if I can enter the pantheon of legends. And there are different levels of legends: Pelé, Maradona, and current superstars like Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Can I reach that level? Clearly not. There are inherent differences between legends.
Is Messi the strongest player you've ever played with?
Without a doubt.
Why?
He is a unique player. The statistics prove it, and he continues to prove it in every match to this day. Even at his age, he led his team to win the World Cup, consistently maintaining a world-class standard. His abilities are so comprehensive; I can't find another player as versatile. He can score goals, has outstanding vision, lethal dribbling, and always breaks the balance on the field, determining the outcome of the game. A single pass, a single goal… You constantly feel his presence on the field; he always dominates the game at crucial moments.
He is deservedly the best.
There's no argument about that. I have never worked with a player like him. I've played with many top stars: Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Hazard at Chelsea, all of extremely high caliber. There were also many great players in other positions; I just mentioned forwards, but of course, there were also Xavi, Busquets, Puyol, Terry, Ramos… My career has been fortunate to witness so many highlights.
Are you anxious about the future?
Right now, I just want to relax and step away from football for a while. After a long career, I need some time to reflect, rest, and clear my mind. But there will definitely be new plans in the future. As for whether I'll become a coach, I'm not sure yet.
Return to Barcelona in a role?
I hope I can maintain a connection with Barcelona in the future. As the president said today, it would be very meaningful for someone like me, who has given everything to the club, to return and work for Barcelona. I hope that in some form, I can continue to be associated with this club. First, it's the club I've loved my entire life; second, Barcelona has unparalleled influence globally. If I have the opportunity to stay at Barcelona in some capacity, that would be wonderful.
AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com