The 18-year-old was inducted into Luis Enrique’s squad for La Roja’s World Cup qualifiers and could still be a controversy for Euro 2020
Barcelona midfielder Pedri wants to avoid setting goals for himself in the future as he prepares to make his debut in Spain.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a particularly good season at Camp Nou, with his form earning him fourth place in Amasan NXGN’s list of the top 50 football surprises for 2021.
As a result of Pedri’s meteoric rise, he won his first call to the international highs, with former star Las Palmas now in a position to make his bow for Luis Enrique’s side against Greece in a match World Cup Thursday.
What was said?
“I don’t like setting goals for the future,” Pedri said Amas in an exclusive interview after being on the NXGN 2021 list.
“I always try to improve on a day-to-day basis and get on with working more than the rest. I just think of growing up with Barcelona.”
On the prospect of representing Spain at Euro 2020 in the summer, he said: “It ‘s a dream, and I hope it happens, but I have to keep my feet on the ground and keep working. “
How likely is Pedri to play at Euro 2020?
If that question had been asked at the start of the season, the chances would have been very low, as Pedri had only made his first trip to Spain under-21s in the -September.
However, during the campaign, he has grown to become one of La Liga’s most creative midfielders, with his relationship with Lionel Messi particularly eye-catching.
As a result, he now has a real chance of being included in La Roja’s squad for the European Championship, especially if he features in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in the against Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.
He is likely to have stiff competition for a place, however, with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Koke, Fabian Ruiz, Saul Niguez, Dani Ceballos and Marcos Llorente all battling him out for midfield wins.
Who won NXGN 2021?
Although Pedri finished fourth on the NXGN list for 2021, he was not the top player in Barcelona, with that honor going to the men’s award winner, Ansu Fati.
Fati overcame strong competition from Eduardo Camavinga, Gio Reyna and teammate Pedri to become the sixth male winner, following in the footsteps of the likes of Jadon Sancho, Gigi Donnarumma and Rodrygo.
Barri midfielder Ilaix Moriba also made the list, placing 50th after being a regular in Ronald Koeman’s mother squad.