Pedri has been full of praise for one Manchester City player.
The Barcelona midfielder is expected to start in Spain’s blockbuster quarter-final clash against Germany at Euro 2024.
Pedri has been deployed as a number 10 by Luis de la Fuente at the tournament, playing behind Fabian Ruiz and Rodri. The 21-year-old has started in every game for Spain at the European Championship so far.
Pedri hails Rodri ahead of Spain’s clash against Germany at Euro 2024
While Spain have perhaps played the best football at the competition, Germany present their toughest test yet — especially in front of a home crowd.
However, unlike Julian Nagelsmann’s side, the Spanish have beaten major footballing nations in Germany such as Croatia and Spain.
As a result, the Spaniards are heading into the contest having had big-game experience very recently.
Ahead of the contest, Pedri claimed that Rodri is the best defensive midfielder in the world.
The former Las Palmas youngster told Mundo Deportivo: “They are having a spectacular Euro Cup, especially [Jamal] Musiala. [Florian] Wirtz is also playing very well. We hope to neutralise them in the best possible way. It is clear that our midfield is also very strong and I think we have the best in the world in that position, which is Rodri.”
Rodri has been proving that is the case in a Spain shirt so far
While Rodri is widely referred to as the best holding midfielder in world football, what Pedri and his Spanish teammates would have taken note is how he has lived up to the billing at Euro 2024.
The £62.5 million man has been one of the standout performers at the tournament — alongside stalwarts like Fabian Ruiz, Jamal Musiala, Toni Kroos and Lamine Yamal to name a few.
The Manchester City talisman’s presence at the base of the Spanish midfield is a key reason why they have exacted control over every game they have played in at the European Championship.
If Rodri manages to perform at his absolute best against Germany, Julian Nagelsmann would have every reason to be worried — not only due to how he well he can dictate games but also the 28-year-old’s role contribution in keeping the likes of attackers like Musiala, Gundogan and Wirtz quiet and his goalscoring threat.