Pedri has become the latest star name to contribute a column for the Players’ Tribune where he reveals how he feels it was destiny that he grew up to play for Barcelona as the club is “in our family’s blood.”
The midfielder’s grandfather was a huge Barca fan who famously ran “the greatest” supporters’ group in Tenerife. As Pedri explains, “supporting another club was impossible. My grandfather made sure of that. If you brought up Real Madrid around him, he would tell you, “No, I will die without ever
setting foot in that city.”
Pedri goes on to share a few anecdotes about life growing up and his early days at Barcelona, revealing how just how shy he was when he first arrived and how a certain Lionel Messi helped him out.
The midfielder says that he and Francisco Trincao used to hide out in the gym as they were too timid to head for the dressing room but Messi found out and everything changed.
“Leo walked by one day, and he must have figured out what was going on,” he said. “He said, ‘Hey, what are you guys doing in here? Come in and chill with us.’ Leo brought us into the dressing room and showed us where to sit. We were like two puppies.
“I’ll forever be grateful to him for that. Leo and Jordi broke the ice and made us so comfortable. But I was not sure if they were going to let me stay or send me back on loan. To be honest, at training, I felt completely at home. In the possession drills, the ball was moving at lightning speed. But the thing is, when you are playing with geniuses, the ball is always right at your feet, with the perfect pace. They make everything easier. “
Pedri did end up staying at Barcelona and the rest is history. The little magician has gone on to win La Liga and Copa del Rey titles with the club as well as the World Cup with Spain.
