During his period of time at Barcelona stretching over eight years, Pedro contributed to a team that dominated, securing almost every available trophy.
The winger secured five La Liga crowns, three Copa del Reys and three Champions League titles with the team from Catalonia, while internationally, he was a member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup, in addition to the European Championship two years later.
Having been noticed by Barca during a youth tournament in Adeje, the Tenerife-born talent became a vital component for the newly appointed coach Pep Guardiola in Barcelona’s B team, soon accompanying his superior into the main squad.
Pedro on Guardiola’s influence
Guardiola assumed control of the senior Barca squad in 2008, and over the subsequent couple of years, Pedro became a significant element in the manager’s strategy.
“Highly structured – a coach possessing definite concepts,” Pedro conveys to FourFourTwo upon being queried about Guardiola’s initial period. “He would consistently emphasize the importance of initiating play from the defensive area and the methods for generating scoring opportunities.”
“He was an exceptional coach, in every aspect: his understanding of the game, the significance he placed on the ‘how’ in addition to the ‘what’, and his method of communicating. He wasn’t merely another coach; he stood apart from the others. Naturally, you also need to be surrounded by top-tier players capable of grasping and executing those ideas, but even from a relatively early juncture, it was apparent that he was destined to become one of history’s finest coaches.”
Pedro also acknowledges that Guardiola’s impact has been essential for his trajectory, which continues even now at the age of 38 at Lazio.
“Back in 2007, I was fortunate that he opted for me to remain rather than be loaned out – I’m unsure what might have transpired in my career otherwise,” he goes on to say. “That was poised to be my ultimate opportunity to stay with Barcelona and continue developing, and I seized it.”
“Pep placed trust in me and imparted numerous lessons, not solely on a professional level, but also on a personal one. I was merely a youngster, and he instilled within me discipline, character, respect, and ambition, all of which hold immense importance at a young age. Guardiola is akin to a father figure to me – he played a role in shaping me as an individual.”
While Guardiola would eventually become the most triumphant manager in the club’s history, he did encounter a challenging commencement, with Pedro securing his initial league start during this period.
“I was quite young and cognizant of all the anticipations at Barça, but I believed I was prepared. There was considerable pressure stemming from the lackluster beginning to the season, but the tide turned from the third match onwards – we commenced winning, and everything proceeded without difficulty.”
“A significant number of the players were Spanish, thus the adjustment was more seamless, and we possessed a robust core consisting of Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol, Xavi, and Andres Iniesta, all of whom had undergone the same experiences as the recent additions to the team.”
Nonetheless, for Pedro, a defining moment was not far off.
“It’s something I earned through dedicated effort each day, but if I were to single out one match, it would be the Club World Cup final in 2009 against Estudiantes, which completed the sextuple.
“It also signified that I had scored in every competition within the same year, an achievement that had eluded everyone previously. That represented the pivotal point in my career at the highest echelon.”
