Childhood shapes you, of course. Habits you pick up at a young age tend to stay with you for the rest of your life. It’s one of the reasons Pedri is so good with the ball – he started running after it as soon as he could walk.The boy from the Canary Islands joined Barcelona early in his career, but contrary to what many believe – he never set foot in Barca’s famed La Masia. He started playing on his island – kicking and running whenever he got the chance.##NAJAVA_MECA_6833926##Speaking to L’Equipe, the soon-to-be 20-year-old said that his style was always similar to that cultivated by Blaugrana’s legendary midfielders Andres Iniesta and Xavi – of whom the latter is now his head coach. He may not originate from Barcelona, but he was born for Barcelona.”Almost everyone thinks I came out of La Masia, but that’s not true! I’m a kid from the Canaries. I used to watch Barca since I was very young, and having watched them so much on TV, it must have shaped me. Quite naturally, because we try to reproduce the football we see. Honestly, the Barca of the time featuring Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Messi – it was mesmerising. I watched it and fell in love.”We say ‘Hakuna matata’ and Costa Ricans say ‘Pura vida’He is still a teenager but is the most used player at the Catalan giants – a testament to his quality and maturity. Pedri says that he developed his style early, and that’s what making him such a natural fit. He’s comfortable with the ball in his feet.”I’m always looking for the ball. That’s how it’s been since I was a boy. Whenever I went with my parents, I had to take a ball with me. Even when there was nobody to play with, I used to run around and kick the ball in the street. That improved my technique, helping me feel good with the ball during competitive games. Of course, you cannot have the ball all the time because football doesn’t work that way. You have to pass, create spaces, to make the ball work for the team. But yes, I feel best when the ball is mine. The ball is my best friend. I want to have it all day!”𝕎𝕒𝕣𝕞 🆙 #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/UYojGC0xkn— Pedri González (@Pedri) November 18, 2022 Barca coach Xavi often speaks to the midfielder about all the aspects of the game he still has to improve. Positioning, and tactical knowledge, there is a lot to take in. But those basic things remain. The love for the ball – and the ultimate dream.”The dream is always the same! I dream of winning the World Cup, for example. A childhood dream that is intact. And in Qatar, the dream is within reach. It’s very close. I have an incredible chance to be in this team and to contribute.”WORLD CUPGroup stageWednesday, Nov 23rdMorocco – Croatia 0-019:00: (1.15) Spain (7.50) Costa Rica (20.0) E22:00: (1.42) Belgium (4.50) Canada (8.00) F***odds are subject to change
