Barcelona’s Pedri secretly admires Real Madrid sensation Jude Bellingham!
Barcelona’s influential midfielder Pedri has shared his candid views on Real Madrid rival Jude Bellingham following a fiercely contested season between Spain’s biggest football clubs. Under Hansi Flick, Pedri played a pivotal role as Barcelona swept to a domestic treble, overcoming Real Madrid in two finals and besting them in both league fixtures en route to the LaLiga title.
While Barcelona celebrated their successes, Real Madrid endured a disappointing campaign, missing out on both the league and Champions League trophies. Their victories were limited to the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, falling short of their usual high standards. The ongoing rivalry between the two teams was further fueled by individual performances and accolades.
In an interview with France Football, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Pedri expressed admiration for two Real Madrid stars. “Real Madrid have a lot of very good players. When Kylian Mbappe has the ball and is in a one-on-one, it is very difficult to stop him. And Jude Bellingham is really incredible. He combines physical strength with technical ability, which makes facing him extremely difficult.”
Comparing their recent performances, Bellingham outscored Pedri in the league, netting nine goals to Pedri’s four, and contributed eight assists to Pedri’s five. However, Pedri surpassed Bellingham in creativity, creating 67 chances compared to the Englishman’s 40, highlighting their contrasting styles as attacking midfielders.
Both Mbappe, Bellingham, and Pedri were named in the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, joining last year’s winner Rodri, who narrowly beat Vinicius for the 2024 title. The recognition of Rodri, a Manchester City midfielder, resonated with Pedri, who saw new possibilities for players in his position.
Reflecting on the award, Pedri remarked, “The Ballon d’Or often goes to forwards, but Rodri’s award shows that the role of midfielders needs to be valued more. Why can’t I dream of winning it one day?” His comments underline the evolving appreciation for midfielders in global football’s most prestigious individual contest.
Pedri is one of four Barcelona players nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year. He is joined by the prodigious teenager Lamine Yamal, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, and Brazilian winger Raphinha, signaling the club’s strong representation among football’s elite talent.
