Pedri first caught FC Barcelona’s consideration in 2019 whereas taking part in for second-division facet Las Palmas at simply 16 years previous. A yr later, he joined the Catalan giants and shortly established himself as a significant participant regardless of his younger age. Now, after greater than 4 years competing on the highest stage, Pedri has reached a milestone shared by membership legends Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez.
On November 25, 2024, Pedri turned 22, having already confirmed his worth in La Liga, the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, and worldwide tournaments just like the Euros and the World Cup with Spain nationwide staff. Statistically, Pedri has change into the second participant with essentially the most appearances for Barcelona earlier than turning 22, that includes in a formidable 161 matches.
This milestone matches Lionel Messi’s file of 161 video games on the identical age in Barcelona, and surpasses the appearances of legendary midfielders Xavi and Iniesta, with 130 and 119 respectively.
The one participant forward of Pedri on this class is Bojan Krkic, who recorded 163 appearances earlier than turning 22. Bojan is usually remembered as a cautionary story—a younger Barcelona star who, regardless of a promising begin, struggled to fulfill lofty expectations later in his profession.
Comparisons with Messi, nevertheless, spotlight the distinctive context of Pedri’s achievements. By 21, Messi was already thought-about one of many world’s biggest gamers, ending second within the 2008 Ballon d’Or and 2009 FIFA World Participant awards, simply behind Cristiano Ronaldo. Whereas Pedri is an integral a part of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, he stays removed from reaching Messi’s extraordinary particular person accolades.
Accidents have hindered Pedri’s profession
Pedri made his breakthrough in the course of the 2020-21 season, showing in a staggering 52 matches at simply 18 years previous—greater than skilled gamers like Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong, and even Messi that yr.
Nevertheless, his profession has been hampered by recurring muscular accidents. In keeping with Transfermarkt, Pedri has missed 87 video games throughout membership and nationwide staff commitments attributable to harm. With out these setbacks, he doubtless would have surpassed Bojan’s file and additional solidified his place in Barcelona’s historical past books.
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