ATLANTA: Pedri watched his heroes Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta conquer the world from his family’s bar as a boy, now Spain’s latest midfield maestro is chasing the same dream. The 23-year-old has already proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi and Iniesta at club level with Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles. He was also part of the Spanish side that became European champions in Germany two years ago, although an injury in the quarter-final win over the hosts saw him miss the final stages. Fitness problems had been a persistent problem after he burst onto the scene as a teenager. After a superb breakthrough season in 2020/21, Pedri’s starring role as Spain reached the semifinals of Euro 2020 meant he played 73 matches for club and country, a toll which was too much for his developing body. Barcelona turned to a specialist myopathy laboratory in the USA for solutions and a study of Pedri’s genetics helped create an individual plan that has brought him back to among the world’s best midfielders. Alongside Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Fermin Lopez and Pau Cubarsi he is part of another hugely talented generation of Barca youngsters that have helped the club overcome financial difficulties to remain La Liga’s dominant force. - “It’s like a movie” -
