Barcelona icon names his preference for Ballon d’Or between Pedri and Lamine Yamal | OneFootball

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.

Pedro backs Pedri for the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

“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.”