Barcelona's midfield Maestro Pedri has opened about what he really thinks of his Real Madrid opposite Jude Bellingham.
Last season, Pedri Barcelona helped to bring a domestic Treble under Hansi Flick, to beat Real in two finals, as well as completing the double over them while they marched to Laliga Glory.
In the meantime, Real could not defend their competition or Champions League titles. They lifted the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, but were short of elsewhere.
After another bitter season of rivalry between the two clubs, Pedri has chosen two real stars that he is particularly impressed with.
He told France Football, via Mundo Deportivo: 'Real Madrid has many 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 skills, which makes him face extremely difficult. '
Last season, Bellingham delivered nine competition goals compared to Pedri's four, while he added eight assists against the five played by Pedri.
Both attacking midfielders created Pedri 67 opportunities – considerably more than Bellingham's 40.
In addition to Mbappe, Bellingham and Pedri made the 30-man shortlist for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, with last year's winner Rodri also in the mix after aiming Vinicius to the Kroon in 2024.
Thinking about the triumph of the Midfielder of Manchester City, Pedri admitted that it had convinced him that one day he could also lift the most coveted individual price of football.
The Barcelona game maker said: 'The balloon d'Or often goes to Vooruit, but the price of Rodri shows that the role of midfielders should be appreciated more. Why can't I dream of ever winning it? '
Pedri is one of the four Barca players this year, accompanied by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the last list of nominees.