Luuk de Jong left a lasting impression during his time as a Barça player. Although the striker was only in Catalonia for a year, teammate Pedri has not forgotten him.
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The young and talented Pedri, known for his sharp vision and intuitive gameplay on the pitch, was recently asked by ESPN’s international branch to imagine and assemble his ultimate Barcelona player.
This hypothetical “ideal” player would combine the standout attributes of various iconic Barça players, both current and past. Pedri’s selections reflected not only a deep appreciation for the skillset of Barcelona’s legends but also a unique insight into the qualities he admires most on the field.
At the start of his selection, Pedri focused on skills that have almost become synonymous with the club’s identity over the years. He began with the legendary left foot of Lionel Messi, a player celebrated worldwide for his unparalleled left-footed precision and magic. Messi’s left foot, known for its accuracy, power, and creative capacity, is a natural choice for any “dream” player. Pedri’s next selection was the right foot of Andrés Iniesta, a maestro known for weaving through defenses with elegance and precision, often creating opportunities with his visionary passing. Iniesta’s right foot holds a special place in Barça history, and Pedri’s decision here seems to honor that.
Moving on to the intelligence that has marked the club's tactical approach, Pedri chose the brilliant football mind of Xavi Hernández, who is now Barcelona’s manager. Known for his exceptional vision and understanding of the game, Xavi orchestrated plays like few others, turning his cerebral style of play into an art form that Pedri finds essential for his ultimate player. Pedri also selected the youthful dribbling skills of Lamine Yamal, the young sensation in Barcelona’s squad, who has drawn comparisons to early-career Messi with his agility and ability to outmaneuver defenders.
Messi, however, wasn’t just limited to his left foot in Pedri’s ideal player. The midfielder also picked Messi’s shooting ability, recognizing the Argentine’s powerful and precise strikes, especially under pressure. So far, these choices might seem predictable, ones that many Barcelona fans, or “Culers,” might have picked themselves. Yet Pedri’s next choices revealed some creative and perhaps unconventional preferences.
For speed, Pedri looked to Alejandro Baldé, a rising star known for his quick bursts and agility down the field, who has proven to be an invaluable asset in counter-attacks and defensive recoveries. Then, for strength, he chose Adama Traoré, whose physicality and raw power set him apart, making him a formidable presence on the field, especially in one-on-one situations. Traoré’s strength has often allowed him to overpower defenders and create opportunities with sheer force, a trait Pedri believes would be vital to his ultimate player.
Finally, when it came to heading ability, Pedri gave a surprisingly firm and immediate answer: Luuk de Jong. Although de Jong spent just a brief time at Barcelona, his aerial prowess left a lasting impression. Known for his towering headers and ability to capitalize on aerial duels, de Jong’s impact as a striker was evidently memorable for Pedri. This choice highlighted Pedri’s appreciation for a player who may not have been the most celebrated star on the team but who brought a critical skill set to the club during his tenure.
In combining these traits, Pedri’s ultimate Barça player reflects a balance of finesse, strength, and tactical intelligence, nodding to the legacies of both past and present players. His choices underline his respect for different aspects of football excellence, honoring the heritage of the club while recognizing emerging talents, showing just how much the young midfielder values the unique qualities each player has contributed to Barça’s history.
Updated: 10:21, 31 Oct 2024
