Pedri explains why he gave the captain’s armband to Gavi instead of a ‘more senior’ teammate | OneFootball

Following the October international break, FC Barcelona returned to La Liga action against García Pimienta’s Sevilla and secured a resounding 5-1 victory in front of their home fans at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.

Several players shone in what was an overall great performance by the Catalan team, but the player who stood out the most was Pedri, who not only delivered an extraordinary performance in midfield but also scored an outrageous goal from outside the box.

After the game, the 21-year-old Canary Islander addressed the media in the mixed zone. As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, he discussed the team’s victory, the adjustment to his position following Eric Garcia’s injury during the warm-up, and, most importantly, Gavi’s return.

Pedri emphasized the importance of this victory as the Catalans gear up for a challenging series of fixtures in the UEFA Champions League against Bayern Munich and La Liga against Real Madrid:

“It was very important because of the upcoming games, but we knew the important match for now was this one. We had to secure three points and good momentum going into the Champions League game.”

Pedri shared his thoughts on his adjusted role on the pitch after Hansi Flick opted to replace Eric Garcia with Ansu Fati in the starting line-up due to Garcia’s injury during the warm-up:

“I was going to play further forward, and it’s a shame about Eric’s injury during the warm-up. I played a bit deeper, but I’m here to do whatever the coach asks of me and give my best wherever I’m placed.”

Pedri also expressed his joy after the win, particularly celebrating Gavi’s return from an ACL injury that sidelined him for nearly 11 months.

“Very happy with the win, but especially with Gavi’s return.”

However, the most notable aspect of Pedri’s post-match media talk was his explanation for handing the captain’s armband to Gavi, despite being instructed to give it to Iñaki Peña, the most senior player on the pitch. He explained:

“Neither Frenkie nor anyone else was there. It was the perfect moment to give it ( Captain’s armband ) to him; I think he deserves it because he’s worked incredibly hard to be here today. I’m grateful to him for never giving up, and for always working hard.”

“We love him a lot, and the fans do too. Carlos (Naval) was telling me that Iñaki was more senior, but I thought I had to give it to Gavi—it was his moment. I think it was the right thing to do.”

Gavi’s return to the pitch after almost eleven months was an emotional moment for fans of the Catalan club, and Pedri’s heartfelt gesture made it even more special. While Gavi managed to make a brief appearance, supporters must remain patient, as it will take time for him to regain full fitness and effectively support his team’s aspirations.