Deco opens up on Pedri’s desire to make history at Barcelona
Barcelona sporting director Deco is hopeful that Pedri will sign a new long-term contract with the club in the near future, with the midfielder’s current deal expiring in 2026.
The 21-year-old has been a mainstay of Barcelona’s team this season, starting 11 of their 13 matches in LaLiga and all four Champions League games, after a difficult campaign last year.
Pedri missed a total of 25 games for club and country with injury problems last term, including the semi-final and final of Euro 2024, having been forced off after eight minutes during Spain’s quarter-final victory over hosts Germany.
His fitness has been a big question for a number of years, having suffered from hamstring injuries since 2021, following the 2020-21 season in which he played 73 matches for club and country.
But with injury problems having dissipated, Deco is excited at the prospect of having him in the team long-term.
”To go for a renewal the first thing you have to know is what the players are looking for, and I think they are looking to win titles, be in a competitive team and, of course, have good contracts,” he told Mundo Deportivo.
“I thought that way and I think we have players who also think that way. I think Pedri’s renewal will happen because I think Pedri wants to make history at the club.”
Pedri has been at Barcelona since joining from Las Palmas as a 17-year-old in 2020. Deco is confident that it feels like home for him now.
“He feels comfortable here, he is happy, he wants to win titles, he is back at his best after working hard, understanding that there was work behind him that he had to do after so many years of suffering a lot with many games and injuries,” he said.
“He has understood it and has seen that he had to work in a different way, improve, and he was on time. We will do the renewal. He has this season and another one left.
“We are focused on winning important things this season, but also on guaranteeing the future of important players and Pedri is one of them.”
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