Pedri hails Messi as the best footballer in history: ‘I was lucky enough to be able to play with him’ | OneFootball

Spain started the 2026 FIFA World Cup in tentative fashion, drawing 0-0 against Cabo Verde, but bounced back in style against Saudi Arabia with a 4-0 victory.

La Roja are always of great interest to Barça because of the number of players from the Catalan club who represent Spain, and one of those stars is Pedri.

Pedri has started both games for his nation so far and produced decent, if not spectacular, performances.

The Canary Islander has now spoken warmly about three players who mean a lot to Barcelona supporters: Lionel Messi, Gavi, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal.

In an interview with Teledeporte, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Pedri reflected on his relationship with Messi, the unique personality of Gavi and the decisive quality Lamine is already bringing at the highest level.

On Messi, he said: “I was lucky enough to be able to play with him, to enjoy him on the pitch, in training… For me, he is the best in history. What he is doing at the age he is, I think only he can do.”

Pedri and Messi played together at Barcelona for one season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Pedri only shared one season with Messi at club level, but even that short time clearly left a mark, and the duo formed an enviable understanding on the pitch.

Gavi, the teammate who pushes everyone

Pedri also spoke about Gavi with the kind of honesty that only close teammates can offer. He said:

“He is a support and a headache. There are days when I want to kill him and others when I love him a lot.”

That quote captures Gavi perfectly. He is intense, emotional, relentless and impossible to ignore. For opponents, he is a nuisance.

For teammates, he is the kind of player who can drive standards every day, even if that energy sometimes becomes exhausting.

Pedri and Gavi are not identical midfielders, and that is exactly why they complement each other. Pedri brings calm, rhythm and clarity. Gavi brings fire, pressure and competitive edge.

Barça and Spain need both sides of that midfield identity. They cannot only rely on beautiful football. They also need players who fight for loose balls, provoke reactions and refuse to let games drift.

Ferran Torres is important

Pedri also had some words of praise for a Barcelona player who may not get as much love as Gavi or himself – Ferran Torres.

On Ferran, he said:

“Ferran is a player who can contribute a lot to the team. I was really looking forward to him scoring that goal [against Saudi Arabia], I’m sure it will come, he’ll score important goals. We help each other.”

Pedri spoke highly of Ferran Torres. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)

Pedri and Ferran are very close and it is understandable that he wanted his friend to score a goal against Saudi Arabia.

The Barcelona striker came very close but a marginal offside saw VAR chalk off a goal in the dying minutes after it was initially given.

Pedri’s words on Lamine were shorter, but just as important. He described the teenager as “a decisive player who can change a result in a moment.”

His words could not be more accurate. Lamine is no longer just a brilliant academy story or a player with potential. He is already someone Spain and Barcelona look to when matches need a spark.

Pedri, as always, knows how to speak to the media, and his words reflect the thoughts of most fans when they think about these players.

Pedri, Gavi, Lamine and the rest of the Barça contingent will be gearing up for their game against Uruguay in a few days’ time, and let us hope the Canary Islander can have a telling impact.