Pedri: "Real Madrid didn't want to sign me"
The Canary Islands-born player told 'DjMaRiiO' that he is excited to be beginning a new stage in his career at Barça and didn't rule out a loan spell.
Pedri, Barça's promising young forward who spent last season playing in the Second Division with Las Palmas, chatted to DjMaRiiO on Post United's YouTube channel. The 17-year-old is set to complete the pre-season with Barcelona's first team squad - he says he is excited to be joining the Catalans and revealed that Real Madrid decided against signing him.
Why are you called Pedri? Since I was a little boy there was another kid called Pedro in the team called, and because I was skinny, I got given the name and it stuck.
Pre-season with Barça: I start with Barça on 12 August. We'll see what happens.
Feeling nervous about the first day: It's normal for players to get nervous - especially meeting the other players there. Seeing as I've played in the Second Division and picked up a bit of experience I'll be a little more relaxed.
Keen for the new season to start: I can't wait. I want it to start now, and see if I can carve out a place for myself at Barça.
Real Madrid: Two or three years ago, I went there for a trial. I was there for a week, but they told me to keep working, that I wasn't the kind of player they were looking for.
Signing for Barça: Last season, when I started the pre-season with Las Palmas, I had already signed for Barça - even before the pre-season friendlies got underway. It was my dream since I was a boy. It was much better for me that Barça called and handed me an opportunity.
Training alongside Messi: I think I'll get nervous when I see him. He's the best player in the world. But once I'm out on the pitch, I'll forget about who I am playing with and I'll pass the ball to him exactly the same as I would to anyone else. I'm excited about meeting all of the players, they are all brilliant and I'm going to enjoy the pre-season and if I get to stay, the rest of the season too.
Objective: I'll try to stay with the first team squad, play as much as I can and get playing time so that I can continue developing.
Barça's style: I've been watching them since I was a kid, I love the kind of football they play and I think I will be able to fit in, I like that style of football, the passing-possession kind of football.
Your best quality? Dribbling past players. I'm not very fast, the best skill I have is getting past rivals and I'm quite agile. We're losing the kind of players you see out on futsal pitches at sports centres - football is becoming more physical but for me, it's not all about that.
Possibility of going out on loan: I'll be open to that if I don't get an opportunity with Barcelona. A few offers from German clubs have come in and that's really good. I wouldn't mind playing abroad, the important thing is to be playing and keep learning. I have to work as hard as I can so that I can have a chance of staying.
Childhood hero: My idol has always been Iniesta, for the way he played. He was a very clever player, nobody could get the ball off him. Now I like De Jong - and Laudrup, my dad has shown me videos of hims playing.