Pedri: "I really value working in the gym, football is getting more and more physical"

Without any fear of being wrong, it can be said that Pedri González (Tegueste, 2002) is already a world soccer star.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
04 December 2022 Sunday 23:35
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Pedri: "I really value working in the gym, football is getting more and more physical"

Without any fear of being wrong, it can be said that Pedri González (Tegueste, 2002) is already a world soccer star. A privileged status that is practically impossible to appreciate in personal contact. With a non-negotiable smile, it is obvious that the canary has not yet been absorbed by fame and that he speaks from his heart. With the match against Morocco just around the corner, he sits patiently with La Vanguardia at Qatar University.

Going from 7-0 against Costa Rica to losing to Japan sounds strange, right?

It's kind of weird to explain. In the first game we really wanted to play and everything worked out for us. And against Japan we had ten minutes that penalized us a lot.

Have they learned from mistakes?

From everything you learn and from something like that much more. But we have another opportunity, we have had to pass as seconds and our desire and enthusiasm are intact.

Discover Morocco.

We have not studied it yet, until a day or a couple of days before the coach does not get with the rivals.

So, you don't know anything about Morocco?

(laughs) Yes! We watch almost all the games and since we have a cheer we are even more attentive.

They have a great time…

The truth is that we are following the World Cup with more passion than I expected, but it is above all because of the cheer. Sometimes you have hit a score and you no longer want there to be more goals.

What ending has he predicted?

France against Spain.

Well, they're on the same side of the frame...

Yes, I have it black and, on top of that, I'm last.

Has something special caught your attention?

There are players who are playing very well, especially Messi and Mbappé, but you learn from every game.

Has the defeat against Japan clouded the good atmosphere in the concentration?

It was a very tough match, we didn't expect it, but the group is happy and eager to face the match against Morocco.

Busquets, Pedri and Gavi, don't touch the midfield?

The coach has decided to repeat in all three games but we know that there can be rotations at any time and that we must show in training that we want to continue playing.

Does playing in the midfield of Spain or in Barça's midfield change much?

It's not that different, although the insiders have a different role, in the national team we touch the ball a lot more and at Barça we touch it more in the danger zone. It changes a bit but in the end it's the same possession football.

Pedri and Gavi rhyme, how else are they similar?

We always want to be in contact with the ball, when that doesn't happen we don't have as much fun and we don't play as well.

And how are they different?

That's easy, Gavi goes 100 percent on all the plays and I'm a little slower.

He has not scored with Spain yet.

All the coaches ask me to get more. Perhaps in the national team I play a little more behind sometimes and it is difficult to score goals but I know that it is something that I have to improve. I hope I score in Qatar.

How are you living your first World Cup?

I am enjoying it very much. It is being a very competitive tournament, several important teams have already been left out.

Do you feel special pressure to play in a World Cup?

From the things that happen outside, you can see that what you do has much more relevance, but on the pitch I try to do what I always do, be calm and enjoy.

Qatar has been criticized a lot before the World Cup, what is your opinion?

We footballers live in a small bubble during the tournament, we are in concentration and we barely go out, only when we have a day off to see the family. The only thing I can say is that we have spectacular facilities, with some crazy courses, and we don't lack anything to be happy and eager.

Do you feel that your role on the field is increasingly important?

My role is to give everything when the coach puts me. And that when I play and see my teammates who don't play working hard training motivate me to keep giving it my all.

How is fame?

calmly. I am very calm to be at home with my family.

But they should ask him for many autographs...

So far when they recognize me or ask me for a photo or an autograph I like it, I don't know what will happen when I'm 40, but for now I'm proud that people know me and remember me.

What role has your brother played in your career?

I think it is the fundamental pillar of my life. He is always by my side, he asks me to keep my feet on the ground and that I still have a lot to improve.

You can see him much more muscular than when he arrived at Barça.

I work with the physical trainers in the gym, both at Barça and in the Spanish team. They are always on top of me, they make me work before and after training doing things that I didn't do before and that I now value a lot. I have noticed an improvement.

Does being stronger make you a better footballer?

Now I have more physical capacity, especially in crashes. Before I lost them all and now I win more and more divided balls.

Is soccer strong?

It is becoming more and more physical and that is why it is good to work on it.

Are you aware of what happens at Barça?

News pops up all over the place and I read them but I am quite focused on the national team.

Do you talk to Barça players from other teams?

The other day I made a video call with 'Ous' (Dembélé) and several colleagues who were with me joined in, we talked for a long time and it was a lot of fun. I have also spoken with Koundé. I'm glad they're doing well.

And with Xavi?

Also. He usually wishes us all luck before the games, it's something very nice that he remembers you.

Another important person in his career was Koeman.

If it weren't for him I don't think I would be playing a World Cup and enjoying so many things, from here I send my thanks.

Do you remember your beginnings at Barça?

Yes a lot. Especially from the first training session I went to. I was in a hotel with my brother, I still didn't have a house, and I left with a lot of desire. I tried to do my best and one day Koeman called me at his office to tell me that he was going to stay with me.

And what he did?

I ran to the hotel to tell my brother.