- 20 Dec 2024
Pedri: Why I rejected Real Madrid
Carlo Garganese
- Updated: 23 May 2023 08:40 CDT
- 2 min read
Barcelona wonderkid Pedri has revealed why he rejected a transfer to Real Madrid, saying he didn’t like the look of the Blancos badge.
The 18-year-old Pedri has been one of the revelations of the season in La Liga, already becoming a key player in the Barcelona midfield.
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He joined Barca last summer after impressing in the Segunda Division with Las Palmas.
And Pedri has revealed that he earlier rejected a transfer to Barca’s bitter rivals Real Madrid after undergoing a trial there.
“In the first few days I was there, when I put on the kit, I looked at the badge and I knew something wasn’t quite right,” Pedri told Rac1‘s radio show ‘Tu diras’.
“In the end, though, I was lucky enough to end up at the club that I want to be at.”
Pedri on Messi
Pedri also commented on his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, who has seemed happier in recent times despite constant speculation over his future.
“When results start coming, he’s happier. Like everyone in the squad,” Pedri added, before going on to hail the work of coach Ronald Koeman.
Messi: Barcelona statistics in 2020/21
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games | 36 |
| Starts | 34 |
| Goals | 27 |
| Assists | 10 |
| Man of the match | 18 |
“He’s really surprised me because I didn’t expect him to be the way he is. He’s a guy who puts a lot of trust in young players.
“He gives us tips to get better, and above all, about how to enjoy ourselves on the pitch.
“If you enjoy it, it’ll work out much better.”
Koeman had been under heavy pressure earlier in the campaign after a dismal start to 2020/21.
However, the Blaugrana have been much improved in 2021 and are now right back in the race to win La Liga.
