Barcelona, ​​Pedri increasingly on Iniesta's trail: he's also in the challenge with Lautaro for the Golden Ball

And to know how to produce talents of international calibre capable of marking an era. It was like this with Puyols, Piqués, Xavis and Iniestas, up until Messi. Without wanting to attribute labels today that risk generating exaggerated expectations, in his small way, Pedri seems to possess the requisites to impose himself on the restricted list of the greats. Cultivating ambitions worthy of a certain status, such as that of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Rodri has shown that even a player who grinds out miles in midfield and dictates the pace can win a Ballon d'Or. I'm very happy he won it, because I enjoy playing with him when I'm with the national team. He's a player who controls the game very well, wins the ball back, moves forward and scores: he's everywhere. Lifting the Ballon d'Or has always been a dream of mine, but there's still a month left until the end of the season. I'm only thinking about the team and winning, then maybe we'll start talking about it.

This is how the 2002 midfielder spoke to UEFA microphones, who, after a season like last year, conditioned by muscular problems, has returned to being the essential conductor of the orchestra for Barcelona.

In the very recent Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, ​​the champion from Las Palmas was the protagonist of a performance of rare completeness, topped off by the beautiful goal for the temporary 1-0, which certified his return to the very high levels of his first seasons in Blaugrana.

A feat celebrated with a gesture that reproduces the number 8, the one on his shirt, as well as that of his childhood idol for many years. And which, seen from another angle and perspective, is also the symbol of infinity.  A Pedri – paraphrasing his statements always to UEFA channels – in the style of Iniesta for quality, importance in the dynamics of the team's game and leadership.

A player who, for the path he has taken with his team in a year that keeps the possibilities of a Treble intact, can legitimately aspire to conquer the Ballon d'Or. On a par with his teammates, Raphinha and another potential generational phenomenon like Lamine Yamal.

It is almost superfluous to highlight how the double challenge against Inter will be decisive for the chances of getting their hands on the France Football prize. To which the representatives of the Nerazzurri are also fully entitled.

Against Bayern Munich, during the quarter-finals, Lautaro Martinez responded more than present and sent a signal of his desire to become the man of the big nights. The recent and sharp drop in performance of Inzaghi's team should not deceive, because it is precisely the Champions League nights that can overturn predictions and rewrite stories.

If Toro is the offensive terminal, Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella are the other two "ambassadors" of Inter in the world for the level of performance they have achieved over the years, also on the international stage.

Source: Andrea Distaso - https://www.calciomercato.com

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