Barcelona returned to winning ways in perfect fashion on Sunday as the Blaugrana took on—and beat—Valencia in La Liga's recent round. After back-to-back draws against Espanyol and Napoli, the Catalan giants needed a victory, and that's just what they delivered, as the Spanish giants triumphed 4-1.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came away with the match ball after that triumph, with the newly-signed Gabonese forward netting a hat-trick at the Mestalla. However, speaking after full time, head coach Xavi Hernandez lavished one player with the highest of praises, and it was not the former Arsenal striker.
That man was none other than Pedri, the Camp Nou youngster who continues to wow despite his young age. The Spaniard was brilliant in yesterday's victory and would have gotten himself on the scoresheet had it not been for an unintentional touch from Aubameyang which resulted in Barcelona's fourth goal being awarded to the striker.
Xavi could not help but hail the midfielder for his performance. In fact, the Blauugrana boss went a step further by labeling him the best young player in world football, which is a bold claim, given the recent obsession with players such as Haaland, Foden, Bellingham, and La Masia graduate Ansu Fati.
"He gives us a break, he doesn't lose the ball, he's both footed... he's superlative," Xavi said, as per Marca.
"What he does, how he turns, the tempo... it's fantastic. He's top level and he's only 19 years old.
"He's spectacular, and there's no bigger prospect in the world than him. We have to pamper him.
"He makes the difference in the game, in the area... he wins the ball back. It's wonderful to have him. He comes on for half an hour and is transcendent.
"He's not a normal player. There are few others like him."
And it's hard to disagree with Xavi's assessment. It wasn't too long ago when Pedri was named the winner of the Kopa Trophy, France Football's other prestigious accolade for the best performing player under the age of 21.
Additionally, the 19-year-old tore the Euro 2021 apart and despite missing out on the European Championship, crashing out in the semifinals against eventual winners Italy, Luis Enrique was quick to point out the level Pedri had shown during last summer's continental tournament.
