Pedri impresses all of Europe with admiration

01/10/2025 17:30:00 VictoryVox

Pedri Gonzalez is off to a stunning start in the 2025/26 season, leading multiple metrics in the top five European competitions, establishing himself as Barcelona’s key player before the PSG encounter.

The 22-year-old midfielder has started all 8 official matches for Barcelona this season, including 7 in La Liga and 1 in the Champions League. Under the guidance of Hansi Flick, Pedri has emerged as the irreplaceable “brain” of the team’s playing style.

According to Sofascore data, he tops Europe in touches (818), successful passes (646), passes into the final third (251), and ball recoveries (49). Beyond these impressive numbers, Pedri has been named man of the match twice, most recently in the 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad.

In La Liga, Pedri has completed 711 successful passes, 167 more than the second-ranked Alvaro Carreras (544). This gap highlights his absolute dominance in ball distribution. Flick highly praises his all-around role: “He is truly special. He brings leadership, appears everywhere on the pitch, and has the potential for a remarkable season.”

Pedri leads Europe in touches, passes, and ball recoveries

Besides his playmaking skills, Pedri also shows a rare balance between offense and defense. He averages 7 ball recoveries per game, wins 4 duels, and simultaneously delivers numerous key passes that create scoring chances. This makes him a complete midfielder—a type increasingly rare in modern football.

However, international recognition for Pedri has not yet matched his performance. At the 2024 Ballon d’Or gala, he ranked only 11th, while PSG’s Vitinha placed third after an outstanding season. In reality, Pedri’s statistics this season surpass those of his Portuguese rival, indicating he is on track to outshine him.

Ahead of the PSG showdown, Pedri’s form is regarded as far superior to Vitinha’s

Before the big match against PSG at Montjuic, Vitinha’s availability remains uncertain due to fitness issues. This further focuses expert attention on Pedri—currently seen as Europe’s standout midfielder. Regardless of the result, Pedri has proven himself the most vital engine of Barcelona.

Pedri’s rise is not just about numbers. He represents a young leader steadily reaching world-class level, shouldering the responsibility to bring Barcelona back to their Champions League ambitions. With his current form, he is the key to Barcelona entering the PSG match with maximum confidence.

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