Midfield star Pedri is primed to pull the strings for Spain as they kick off their World Cup campaign this week. Photo: AFP
Pedri watched his heroes Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta conquer the world from his family's bar as a boy; now Spain's latest midfield maestro is chasing the same dream.
The 23-year-old has already proven to be a fitting heir to Xavi and Iniesta at club level with Barcelona, winning three La Liga titles. He was also part of the Spanish side who became European champions in Germany two years ago, although an injury in the quarter-final win over the hosts saw him miss the final stages.
Fitness problems had been a persistent issue after he burst onto the scene as a teenager. After a superb breakthrough season in 2020/21, Pedri's starring role as Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020 meant he played 73 matches for club and country — a toll which was too much for his developing body.
Barcelona turned to a specialist myopathy laboratory in the US for solutions, and a study of Pedri's genetics helped create an individual plan that has brought him back to among the world's best midfielders.
