Barcelona's teenage midfielder Pedri proved on Sunday night that he is more than just one of the most talented youngsters in world football. He demonstrated his capabilities as the best. Period.
The 19-year-old, who joined the Catalan giants from Las Palmas in 2020, scored one of the most satisfying goals of the season in last night's La Liga clash against Sevilla – an effort that helped them leapfrog their opponents into second place.
In the 72nd minute, Pedri left the opposition scrambling when he feinted not once, but twice, before rifling home a magnificent effort from outside the box. It left everyone in the stadium – and at home – in awe. What a goal this is.
His dancing feet even left Barcelona manager Xavi, who has seen it all, going wild on the touchline.
Xavi was full of praise for the teenage midfielder after the final whistle. "A supreme player. When I say that, I mean there aren't many people that understand how we play like he does," he said in his post-match interview.
"And what a goal he scored. He makes the difference. It's spectacular watching him play, and he's only 19. There are no comparisons.
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"I encourage him to shoot more, but he's a passer. He's thinking about the next pass, the final pass, the decisive pass. I was a little bit the same.
"He doesn't realise sometimes you have to try your luck, because he's got a good shot on him. And he scored a great goal today."
Even Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, knew he was watching some special on Sunday night. "I don't know if Pedri's goal will go down in history," he said at full-time. "What I do know, is that it was scored by a player that will possibly go down in history."
So what did Pedri have to say about the goal?
"The goal was similar to the one I scored in Turkey (against Galatasaray)," he said. "I saw the leg coming so I feigned (the shot), and once I shot, I knew it was heading in."
Thoughts on Pedri's magnificent goal against Sevilla?
Let us know in the comments.
Jack Kenmare