 "It’s all in the brain – Firstpost")
Barcelona’s midfield maestro Pedri has opened up on what he really thinks of his Real Madrid counterpart Jude Bellingham.
Last season, Pedri helped drive Barcelona to a domestic treble under Hansi Flick, defeating Real in two finals, as well as completing the double over them as they marched to LaLiga glory.
Meanwhile, Real were unable to defend their league or Champions League titles. They lifted the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup but fell short elsewhere.
After another bitter season of rivalry between the two clubs, Pedri has singled out two Real stars that he is particularly impressed by.
He told France Football, via Mundo Deportivo: ‘Real Madrid have a lot of very good players. When Kylian Mbappe has the ball and is in a one-on-one, it is very difficult to stop him.
‘And Jude Bellingham is really incredible. He combines physical strength with technical ability, which makes facing him extremely difficult.’
Barcelona’s Pedri has singled out two Real Madrid stars he believes are ‘very good players’
Pedri heaped praise on England international Jude Bellingham, labelling him ‘really incredible’
The midfielder added that it is ‘very difficult’ to stop Kylian Mbappe in one-on-one situations
Last season, Bellingham netted nine league goals compared to Pedri’s four, while adding eight assists against the five tallied by Pedri.
Both attacking midfielders, Pedri created 67 chances – significantly more than Bellingham’s 40.
As well as Mbappe, Bellingham and Pedri made the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, with last year’s winner Rodri also in the mix after edging Vinicius to the crown in 2024.
Reflecting on the Manchester City midfielder’s triumph, Pedri admitted it had given him belief that he too could one day lift football’s most coveted individual prize.
The Barcelona playmaker said: ‘The Ballon d’Or often goes to forwards, but Rodri’s award shows that the role of midfielders needs to be valued more. Why can’t I dream of winning it one day?’
Pedri is one of four Barca players in contention this year, joined by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha in the final list of nominees.
