LaLiga

Barça Icon Picks Ballon d’Or Favorite: Pedri Or Yamal?

Speaking to El Dia of Tenerife (h/t SPORT), former Barcelona winger and current Lazio star Pedri has named his preference for the Ballon d’Or between Pedri and Lamine Yamal.

Following an extraordinary season under Hansi Flick, multiple Barcelona players are in the running for the Ballon d’Or with Lamine Yamal being spoken about as one of the frontrunners.

However, both Pedri and Raphinha have also emerged as contenders along with PSG attacker Ousmane Dembele, who played a key role in his team’s treble success.

Pedri votes in favour of Pedri
Having played alongside the greatest of all time, Lionel Messi, and having encountered many Ballon d’Or winners and contenders, Pedro is clear on who should win the award this year: Pedri.

“Of course, I would give Pedri the highest score. Then Lamine Yamal. And maybe other candidates out there are Dembelé or Raphinha, but I would love Pedri to win,” said Pedro.

“For us it is a pride and a pleasure to have another Tenerife and Canary Islander in elite football, leading it as he is leading it, with exemplary behaviour and always giving his all on the pitch. For me there is no doubt: he is the best in his position in the world.”

Pedro still holds Barcelona close to his heart and is aware of the club’s ongoing talks with Nico Williams. He believes the Athletic Club winger would be an excellent signing for the team.

“He is a player that would be good for them, with a great future. He blends in very well with the other players in the national team who are already at Barça,” stated Pedro.

“Hopefully they can close the deal, I don’t know if it’s already done or at what point, but if he arrives, it will be a joy for Barça fans. I’m sure it will.”

On his time at Barcelona
Looking back on his time at Barcelona, Pedro remembers how he got his first chance with the senior team under legendary manager Pep Guardiola.

“Guardiola called me into his office and told me that Ezquerro had been taken ill with gastroenteritis. Honestly, at first I didn’t believe it. I was all nervous, I called my family and they threw a party at Abades to watch the game,” Pedro reminisced.

Continuing, he added: “I told them I didn’t expect to play a minute, but I did. I made my debut. And on top of that, I was replacing Samuel Eto’o. Everything was impressive.

“The debut is a very beautiful moment in your career and I still have the moment framed in my house in Abades.”

Pedro, through perseverance and quality, succeeded at Barcelona while some of his contemporaries from the academy could not make it.

“Some teammates made it to the elite and some didn’t. They were all impressive players. They were all impressive footballers. There was Piqué, for example,” said Pedro.

“Also Songo’o’s son, Víctor Vázquez, Giovanni dos Santos, Bojan… Some were able to make it and others were unfortunately left behind. In the end, it’s football, it’s Barça. Some get picked and some don’t.”

Barcauniversal.com

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Related Topics:Barcelona Featured Lamine Yamal Pedri

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LaLiga

Barca’s Rashford Hopes Rise As Turkish Club Withdraws

Barcelona remain fully engaged in their search for the winger that Hansi Flick has requested to strengthen the squad. The two main targets being pursued by the club’s sporting department are Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford.

Bayern Munich are pushing hard for the Liverpool winger, and securing his signature will not be easy given the German club’s strong financial position.

As such, reports today suggested that Rashford had now become the priority target for the La Liga champions, who were now ready to go all in for him.

However, Fenerbahce in Turkey were also said to be admirers of the Manchester United forward, with their manager Jose Mourinho seemingly keen on a reunion.

Fenerbahce drop out of Rashford race
But, as per the latest update from MARCA, Mourinho has ruled out signing Rashford for Fenerbahce, which comes as a big boost for Barcelona.

Despite considering the option seriously, the Portuguese tactician has decided against a move for his former ward from Manchester United.

Mourinho previously coached Rashford during his time at Manchester United between 2016 and 2018. The Portuguese manager placed full trust in the young forward, who had just been promoted to the first team.

During his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho used Rashford in 125 games, during which the forward netted 28 goals and chalked up 20 assists.

Despite their past working relationship, signing Rashford is currently unrealistic for Mourinho’s Fenerbahce due to the player’s high wages – he earns €18 million per season – and because the forward’s preferred destination is Barcelona.

As a result, a move to Turkey has been definitively ruled out, with the 27-year-old attacker holding out for a transfer to Catalonia.

Barcauniversal.com

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LaLiga

“We All Make Mistakes!”: Szczesny Sports New Blonde Look With Barca Teammates

What is going on?!

Wojciech Szczesny is known for being a bit of a joker and has been having some fun on social media after seeing some of his team-mates show off new looks.

Gavi, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have all gone blonde recently, and it looks like Szczesny has decided he wants a bit of the action as well.

He’s posted a picture of himself showing off a new blonde haircut with the caption “we all make mistakes….” and tagged his team-mates in the post.

It’s good to see the Barca boys having some fun as they prepare to get back to work for another season with the Catalans.

Szczesny will be back with the squad, after signing a two-year contract extension, but is expected to play back-up to new signing Joan Garcia.

In the meantime, we’ll have to wait and see if any more players decide to join Lewandowski, Szczesny, Yamal and Gavi in Barca’s blonde club.

Barcablaugranes.com

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LaLiga

Barca Captain Ter Stegen To Meet Flick After Deco Talks

Earlier today, FC Barcelona captain and goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva after his vacation as the team gears up for the start of pre-season on Sunday.

Ter Stegen returns with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his future, considering that Barça have signed Joan Garcia to become their new No. 1.

The German international, though, has been firm on his refusal to leave the club despite the threat of being relegated to the third-choice goalkeeper behind Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.

Ter Stegen to meet Hansi Flick tomorrow
Now, according to journalist Laia Tudel on Catalunya Radio, Ter Stegen is set to meet with Barcelona manager Hansi Flick tomorrow to discuss his future.

As per the update, the 33-year-old already met with the Blaugrana sporting director at the club facilities today and will speak with the manager on Friday.

Barcelona, for their part, are eager to offload Ter Stegen, given that they will be freeing up a huge chunk of their salary space.

However, at this point, the Blaugrana are not planning to take any drastic actions or extreme measures.

Instead, they will explain the situation to their captain and make it clear that there is competition for places, and he will have to fight to earn it.

Ter Stegen still has three years left on his contract with Barcelona and is willing to fight for his place in the team. The German’s idea is to revisit the situation and assess his prospects in January.

Tomorrow’s meeting with Flick will be crucial with regard to how the entire matter unfolds and whether Ter Stegen stays or accepts to move on from the club.

Barcauniversal.com

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