Balon D' Or: Barcelona Midfielder Pedri On What He Must Do to Eclipse Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal

Barcelona star Pedri has revealed the steps he believes are necessary to join the elite ranks of Ballon d’Or winners, as the 22-year-old midfielder eyes football’s most prestigious individual prize.

Speaking to L’Équipe, the Spanish international reflected on his form, Barcelona’s resurgence, and the evolving value of midfielders in the modern game.

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Pedri, who is among the nominees for the 2025 award, says the recognition of players like Rodri - who won the 2024 edition - proves that midfield maestros can now compete with high-scoring forwards for the honour.

At the moment, forwards like his Barcelona teammate Lamine Yamal and PSG’s Ousmane Dembele are the front runners for the award.

However, Pedri remains upbeat and encouraged that he also has the potential to be recognised as the world’s best player  and clinch the award himself.

“For a long time, the Ballon d’Or was awarded mainly to forwards. Rodri’s win proves that the role of the midfielder is finally getting the recognition it deserves,” he said.

 “In football, the midfield dictates many things. It’s easier for a team to win matches when they dominate in this area. So why not dream of the Ballon d’Or? For that, I need to have a very good season with the team.”

During the 2024/25 campaign, Pedri played 59 matches for Barcelona across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing eight assists. He lifted La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup — silverware he believes strengthens his claim.

The Tenerife-born midfielder also credited new head coach Hansi Flick for his renewed confidence.

“Having a coach who fully believes in me helps me stay calm and enjoy life as a player. From the outside, Hansi Flick may seem serious, but in reality, he’s like a father to us, always listening to our needs,” Pedri said.

He hailed the balance between Barcelona’s experienced players and its emerging stars — includin Yamal — as key to their success.

“We’ve formed a new group, gotten to know each other better, and young talents capable of making a difference have emerged. This mix of generations works very well. These young players carry the club’s philosophy within them,” he added.

Pedri insists his focus remains collective rather than individual, with Barcelona setting their sights on the Champions League.

“We had a very good season last year, but the loss against Inter still lingers. Now our goal is to reach the Champions League final,” he said.

While individual awards may be decided by voters, Pedri knows that surpassing teammates like Dembele and Yamal in influence will require consistency, leadership, and another trophy-laden season.