Barcelona's Pedri: "I thank Real Madrid for not signing me"
After a week-long trial at Real Madrid, Pedri was told he was not good enough -- something for which he is thankful as he is now at the club where he "always wanted to be."
Barcelona midfielder Pedri gave an interview to popular Spanish radio program El Larguero on Cadena SER on Monday, during which he discussed the joy of playing with Lionel Messi, his relationship with Francisco Trincao and Ansu Fati, the upcoming game against Atlético Madrid and why he’s thankful to Real Madrid for not signing him.
Humility: "I think that if you lose your humility and stop being who you are, you lose the footballer. My parents and my brother are the ones who give me the most advice. That's very good because it makes you push yourself and keep your feet on the ground.”
Playing position: "Since I was little, I have always felt more comfortable as a midfielder but on both wings I can also contribute to the team."
Pedri on Messi, Fati and Real Madrid
Messi: "You never get used to seeing the plays Messi pulls off. They all surprise you. Being able to learn from them is a luxury. Seeing the things Messi does ... he does what he wants and when he wants. Of course Messi is imposing, you see it on TV and on the pitch and seeing him in real life is impressive. Playing with Messi is a prize that life has given me.”
Relationships in the dressing room: "Above everyone, I get along very well with [Francisco] Trincao. We arrived at the club at the same time, and we started training together. I also get on with Ansu [Fati] very well. Now he has had the injury and he has to work hard to get as well as possible. We have become good friends.”
Ansu Fati: "Ansu is a natural goal scorer. He has a lot of quality, one against one ... he has a big future and he has got it all."
El Clásico: "Two days before the El Clásico they told me I was going to start and I told myself: ‘Damn, this is serious!’”
Trials at Real Madrid: "I spent a week on trials at Madrid. After that, they took me to the office and told me I didn't have the level. I thank them [Madrid for not signing me], because now I'm at the club I've always wanted to be."
Spain ambitions: "Luis de la Fuente (Spain U-21 coach) tells me to continue working as I am, to look for the spaces, to stay calm and be myself. I hope I can go to both Euro 2021 and the Olympic Games.”
Pedri on Atlético Madrid
Luis Suárez (who will miss the Barcelona-Atlético game due to his coronavirus diagnosis): "Luis Suárez’s positive result is not good news. The best players have to be playing on the pitch."
Atlético Madrid: "Atlético have a great team and they know how to play. They all play together and, well, we'll see what happens."
Antoine Griezmann: "Griezmann is doing well in my eyes. He's having a bit of bad luck when it comes to scoring goals. But he gives us a lot when he plays."