'The Man of Steel' Pedri

Having been plagued by injuries and a lack of consistency, Pedri has now returned in better form than ever before.

The 2024/25 season marked a spectacular transformation for the Canary Islands midfielder.

Every great team needs a conductor. A brain that orchestrates the tempo, a heart that keeps the rhythm going throughout the 90 minutes, someone who is always in the right place at the right time to make a difference.

For the current Barcelona team, that player is Pedri – no longer the frail young man he once was, but a true "titanium warrior" on the pitch.

Numbers don't lie.

The 2024/25 season marked a spectacular transformation for the Canary midfielder. He played in 59 out of 60 matches for Barca, missing only one due to the flu. No longer the image of a vulnerable, injury-prone player, Pedri is now a symbol of resilience, stability, and all-around ability.

This is all the more valuable when compared to last season, where he missed nearly 40% of the matches due to persistent physical problems. Now, Barca's number 8 is Hansi Flick's first choice, an irreplaceable name in the Catalan team's tactical system.

Pedri's biggest difference lies in his ability to combine the finesse of an artist with the physical prowess and intensity of a warrior. He not only plays well – he plays consistently, maintaining his form throughout an entire season.

Pedri is now a symbol of perseverance, stability, and all-around excellence.

Flick made the right decision by dropping Pedri a few meters deeper, allowing him to cover a wider area and control the game better. The result? Pedri became the player with the most passes in La Liga with over 3,100 touches, of which 1,718 were made in the opponent's half – numbers that reflect his overall influence, not just confined to the midfield.

Barca's role

While Pedri once astonished Europe by playing 72 matches in the 2020/21 season – including the EUROs and Olympics – that very period also marked a temporary end to his "immortal" image. His young body couldn't handle such a demanding schedule, and recurring injuries caused his career to decline. But instead of giving up, he chose to be reborn.

Barca didn't sit still. A genetic study of muscle development conducted in Baltimore yielded valuable information: Pedri's body didn't adapt well to long breaks. The more regularly he played, the more ideal he became. This fact defied conventional logic, but it was the key that helped Flick unlock the perfect version of Pedri – a player who didn't need rest to maintain his form, but rather… played continuously.

From then on, Pedri not only played the role of a "number 10" but could also play the role of a "number 6," acting as a link between the lines, organizing the game, recovering the ball, and even scoring goals. Six goals this season may not be an impressive number statistically, but the football Pedri brings – creative, fluid, and proactive – is of immeasurable value.

Flick made the right decision by pulling Pedri back a few meters, allowing him to cover a wider area and control the game better.

Therefore, Barcelona did not hesitate to extend his contract until 2030. Pedri – a Cule since childhood – has now played 200 matches for the team he loves. And more importantly, he has matured into a silent leader, needing no flowery words, just tireless running and unwavering legs.

If Xavi was the rhythm orchestrator and Iniesta the space opener, then Pedri is becoming a modern blend of both – in a more resilient, steelier, and mature form.

Barcelona has a glorious past. But with Pedri – the titanium version – they can have faith in the future.

Source: https://znews.vn/nguoi-dan-ong-thep-pedri-post1558181.html