Pedri, Spain's Midfield Maestro, Shines in Europe Qualifiers

Spain's Midfield Maestro Pedri Receives High Praise

Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente lavished praise on Barcelona midfielder Pedri González after a 2-0 victory over Georgia in the European World Cup qualifiers at the Manuel Martínez Valero stadium on October 12, 2025.

De la Fuente told AS that Spain must keep progressing, highlighting a wealth of talented players who continually refine their craft. He stressed that the national team benefits from a deep pool that keeps pushing excellence forward.

He singled out Mikel Oyarzabal as a complete player who sees the game clearly, and he noted that others like Zubimendi and Koke contribute to a rich ecosystem around Pedri.

About Pedri, the coach described him as complete and diligent, capable of mastering nearly every facet of the game. He emphasized that Pedri rarely makes mistakes, thanks in part to teammates around him who help unlock his talent.

De la Fuente highlighted Pedri's poise and intelligence, adding that the 22-year-old’s influence extends well beyond his own movements on the pitch.

"Pedri is a complete footballer who reads situations brilliantly," the coach said. "There are players around him who unlock his genius, and his level continues to rise."

In turn, Pedri's achievements speak for themselves. Since arriving at Barcelona in 2020, he has become a central figure for both club and country, contributing through goals, assists, and a tireless engine in midfield.

With 212 appearances for Barcelona, 27 goals, and 22 assists, Pedri has helped the club win multiple titles—two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and two Spanish Super Cups—while also cementing his status as a regular in the Spain squad.

Opta’s numbers from last season underscore his centrality: he led La Liga in total passes (2,672), produced the most passes in the final third (414), and delivered 2,306 passes to teammates. He tallied 3,191 touches, including 2,224 in the opponent’s half, and completed 826 successful dribbles while recovering the ball 254 times (109 of those in the opponent’s half).

All told, Pedri is not just a gifted youngster; he’s the architect and heartbeat of Barcelona’s midfield and a driving force for Spain’s bid to reach the 2026 World Cup.

As the coach put it, "He is exceptional." And if you doubt, watch how he makes the ball do mental gymnastics—without a trampoline in sight.

Punchline 1: If brains were goals, Pedri would have a hat trick every game. Punchline 2: Pedri’s passes are so precise that even his GPS says, \"Recalculating... genius ahead.\"