Barcelona’s midfield maestro, Pedri, has revealed his ambition to one day win the Ballon d’Or, stating that recent victories for fellow midfielders in the modern era have given him the belief that the seemingly impossible is now possible.
In an interview with the French publication L’Equipe, Pedri explained that for a long time, the prestigious award was dominated by strikers and forwards. However, he feels that the perception is now changing. “Rodri’s victory [in 2024] proves that the role of midfielder is finally being recognised for what it’s worth,” he said.
This shift in recognition from voters has fueled his own personal ambition to reach the pinnacle of the sport. “So yes, why not dream of winning the Ballon d’Or during my career?” the Spanish international stated. He was, however, quick to add that any individual success is entirely dependent on the team’s achievements: “To do that, we’ll need to have a very good season as a team.”
Pedri himself played a pivotal role in Barcelona’s hugely successful 2024-25 campaign, in which the club won a historic domestic treble. He was one of the top chance creators in all of La Liga.
The young midfielder also gave his thoughts on two of the favourites for this year’s award, his current teammate Lamine Yamal and former teammate Ousmane Dembélé. “Playing with them is a real pleasure,” he said, describing both as having had “incredible seasons.”
While the 2025 award may be destined for one of his peers, Pedri has set a clear long-term goal for his career. Inspired by the recent triumphs of midfielders like Rodri and Luka Modrić, the Barcelona star is determined to lead his team to glory in the hopes of one day being crowned the best player in the world himself.