Lazio winger and former Barcelona star Pedro has added a compelling new twist to the 2025 Ballon d’Or race, declaring that Barcelona’s midfield engine, Pedri, deserves football’s most prestigious individual award. In doing so, Pedro overlooked the two players widely considered to be the frontrunners: Barcelona’s electrifying young winger Lamine Yamal and Paris Saint-Germain’s treble-winning forward Ousmane Dembele.
The endorsement has sparked debate among fans and pundits, highlighting the classic Ballon d’Or dilemma: should the award go to the explosive, headline-grabbing attacker or the brilliant, consistent midfielder who makes the team tick? For Pedro, the choice is clear, and his support for Pedri is rooted not just in sentiment, but in a season of domestic dominance for Barcelona.
The State of the Race
The 2024/25 season was a resounding success for FC Barcelona. The Catalan club secured a domestic treble, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup, and they came agonizingly close to reaching the UEFA Champions League final before being eliminated by Inter Milan in the semi-finals. This team success has naturally propelled several of their star players into the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Until now, most of the discussion has centered on two phenomenal talents:
- Lamine Yamal: At just 17 years old, Yamal has had a breathtaking season for Barcelona, dazzling audiences with his dribbling, vision, and maturity beyond his years. His individual brilliance has made him a fan favorite for the award.
- Ousmane Dembele: The French forward was a key player in PSG’s historic treble-winning season, which included the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy. He has added a lethal end product to his game, making him, for many, the logical favorite to win.
Pedro’s Passionate Endorsement
Despite the strong cases for Yamal and Dembele, Pedro believes the award should go to the team’s central nervous system: Pedri. He has not only chosen Pedri but has passionately argued that the 22-year-old is the best in the world in his position.
“Of course, I would give Pedri the highest score. Then Lamine Yamal. And maybe other candidates out there are Dembélé or Raphinha, but I would love for Pedri to win.”
Pedro’s connection to Pedri is also personal. Both players hail from the Canary Islands of Spain, and Pedro expressed immense pride in seeing another player from their home region succeed at the highest level of world football.
“For us, it is a pride and a pleasure to have another player from Tenerife and the Canary Islands at the elite level… with exemplary behavior and always giving everything on the pitch. For me, there’s no doubt: he’s the best in his position in the world.”
The Unsung Hero: Pedri’s Case for the Ballon d’Or
While Pedri may not have the same number of highlight-reel goals as his attacking teammates, his influence on Barcelona’s success is undeniable. Widely regarded as the team’s “unsung leader,” he was a workhorse throughout the season, appearing in 59 matches for the club. While his stats of six goals and eight assists are respectable, his true value lies in the work he does off the ball and in controlling the game.
Last season, Pedri won possession more times (254) than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues. He also completed more passes into the final third than any other player in La Liga, demonstrating his crucial role in both breaking up opposition attacks and starting Barcelona’s own. He is the player who dictates the tempo, connects the defense to the attack, and brings balance and control to the team.
Pedri’s Own Dream
For his part, the young midfielder has remained humble about the growing buzz around his name. He has admitted that winning the Ballon d’Or has “always been a dream,” but his immediate focus remains on team success.
He has also acknowledged that seeing another controlling midfielder, Rodri, win the award last year made his own dream feel more realistic. “Since Rodri won it, it’s shown that a player who runs the midfield and dictates the tempo and the rhythm of the game can win a Ballon d’Or,” Pedri said, recognizing that a player in his position can indeed be recognized as the best in the world.
Conclusion
Pedro’s public backing has officially thrown Pedri’s name into the top tier of contenders for the 2025 Ballon d’Or. It sets up a fascinating debate for the voters: do they reward the individual brilliance and goal-scoring prowess of attackers like Yamal and Dembele, or do they recognize the profound, game-controlling influence of a midfield maestro like Pedri?
While the forwards may have the edge in popularity, Pedro’s impassioned endorsement has ensured that the quiet genius at the heart of Barcelona’s dominant season will get the consideration he deserves. The race for football’s biggest individual prize just got a lot more interesting.
