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BARCELONA

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.

Update:
Pedri: "El Madrid no me quiso fichar".
EDUARDO CANDELDIARIO AS

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.