​Barcelona players form the core of Spain’s squad for the ongoing FIFA World Cup, and a significant portion of the team’s difficulties has been closely tied to the Catalan star’s underwhelming performances. While Lamine Yamal has understandably faced challenges returning from injury, another player who has not met expectations is Pedri Gonzalez. The Barcelona midfielder, widely regarded as one of the best in his position, has not dominated the tournament as convincingly as he would like, and his particularly poor showing against Portugal drew sharp criticism. Pedri spoke to SPORT ahead of Spain’s quarterfinal clash with Belgium and addressed the recent scrutiny he has faced, admitting that his performance against Portugal did not meet his standards. “Yes. I consider myself an important player for the team. It’s true that personally, the last game was not good, but I know I can improve and do much better.” “The good thing about football is that you immediately have another chance,” he added.
He then acknowledged that the online criticism had reached him and that he is aware of what is being said about him. “Yes, they have reached me, but I am aware of what I do. I know when I play well and when I play badly, I don’t need anyone to tell me.” “I think it wasn’t one of my best games of the season or my career. You have to be self-critical and I am convinced that in the next game I will do better,” he said. Pedri reflected on the reasons behind his less-than-ideal form and whether the difference between his club and international roles played a part. “There are always nuances, depending on the coach and teammates. Rodri, for example, is a much more positional player, while with Frenkie de Jong, the midfield is more dynamic. They are two world-class football players and you have to adapt.”
He also addressed the perpetual scrutiny on Barcelona players when they represent Spain, noting that they often face high expectations. “We are always criticised for something. Sometimes it seems that Barça players, and also those of other teams when they come to the national team, are not valued enough. We have great players and sometimes we don’t appreciate all the talent here.” When asked whether Spain still remained favourites to win the tournament despite their uneven performances, he replied affirmatively: “Yes. From the beginning, we said that we were coming to win it. They pointed us out as favorites and we had no problem accepting it.” He emphasized that they are aware of their quality and that nothing will be handed to them from here on. “We are aware that we are doing very well, but from now on no one is going to give us anything.”
Pedri then highlighted the positives the team has demonstrated to counter the criticism, arguing that their actions on the field have shown they are not as flawed as some observers claim. He emphasized that the group believes in their own potential and remains focused on delivering strong performances in the remainder of the tournament. The midfielder’s candid reflections underscore a blend of self-criticism, determination, and confidence that Spain can still achieve success if they continue to apply themselves and minimize errors.