Barcelona remain firmly in contention for a historic treble this season, having already lifted the Copa del Rey.
Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has heaped praise on Barcelona midfielder Pedri, calling him the most important player in his position. The World-Cup winning midfielder said that Pedri is the real driving force behind Barca’s success this season.
Despite the attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha combining for an impressive 86 goals across all competitions, Kroos opined that it is Pedri’s influence in midfield that truly sets Hansi Flick’s Barcelona apart.
Kroos’s praise for Pedri comes despite some tense history between the two players. During the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Kroos was involved in a heavy challenge that injured Pedri and ruled the Spain star out of the remainder of the tournament. The German midfielder later issued a public apology, which Pedri accepted. The two have since moved past the incident and Kroos’s latest comments reveal how highly he rates the 22-year old.
Notably, Pedri has made 54 appearances this season, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.
Speaking on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen, Kroos said,
“He is the best in the world in his role. For me, a player like Pedri is more important than Lamine Yamal, Raphinha or (Robert) Lewandowski.
“They decide the outcome of the games, but to do that, Pedri is currently the best player in the world in his position. Pedri, in general, is a player you miss when he is not playing, no matter who you are facing. He doesn’t just score goals, he doesn’t just provide assists.
“He provides solutions. I have been watching what Pedri is doing this season, not only in the Champions League, he is outclassing his opponents in every single game.
“In La Liga, he is even more extreme! He has beaten defenders on average 11-12 times per game, which is the hardest thing for a midfielder to do. He is the best. And if you lose a player like him, you notice it! Pedri is one of the few midfielders in his position who has the gift of being able to dribble someone in tight spaces. A player like Pedri helps you in every phase of the game.”
Also Read: Lamine Yamal Champions League Achievements Before Turning 18 Are Phenomenal
Kroos retired from club and international football after Euro 2024 at the age of 34.
Meanwhile, Barcelona remain firmly in contention for a historic treble this season, having already lifted the Copa del Rey and sitting four points clear at the top of La Liga with just four games remaining. In the Champions League, Barca prepare to face Inter Milan in the second leg of their semi-final, following an intense 3-3 draw in the first leg last week.
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