Pedri believes Lamine Yamal should not be compared to anyone, insisting that measuring the youngster against Lionel Messi is "complicated" because it means comparing him to "the best player in history".
The comparisons between Lamine and Messi have become a recurring theme, as the teenager continues to break records inBarcelona colours.
Yamal’s ascent to, arguably, a status as the world’s best player has mirrored Messi’s own rise at the Camp Nou. Barcelona teammate Pedri is the latest high-profile figure to be asked about them.
The Spaniard called comparisons with Messi an unfair burden, with the latter regarded by many as the greatest of all time.
“For me, Lamine shouldn't be compared to anyone because comparing him to Leo Messi is complicated… …comparing yourself to the best player in history is complicated.”
- Pedri
"The best player in the world"
That does not mean Pedri held back on his praise. At the same time, he labelled Yamal as football’s current number one.
Pedri is not alone in pushing back on the Messi comparison. Earlier in the day, Paris Saint-German head coach Luis Enrique rejected it too.
Enrique, who coached Messi during his time as Barcelona boss, will come face-to-face with Yamal when PSG take on the Spanish champions in theChampions League this evening.
At his pre-match press conference, he talked down the comparisons.
“Lamine-Messi comparisons? You can not compare any player with Messi, he's the best ever.”
- Luis Enrique
Yamal has started the season in exceptional form, with eight goals and six assists injust nine La Liga appearances.
In Europe, he’s been similarly devastating. Yamal has recorded a goal and four assists in only 180 minutes of Champions League football.
The teenager is a contender for the Ballon d’Or when it is announced this month, and could become the youngest-ever winner of the award, after a runners-up finish in 2025.