Soccer <\/p>\n
Thiago Alcantara believes there is no better midfielder in the world\u00a0than\u00a0Barcelona and Spain star Pedri, likening him to former Blaugrana great Andres Iniesta.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Pedri helped Hansi Flick’s side defend their LaLiga crown this season, having also played his role in Barcelona winning the 2022-23 title.<\/p>\n
Adding in his Euro 2024 glory with Spain, Barcelona assistant Thiago struggled to see any player in the world who is better than Pedri in his position.<\/p>\n
“Pedri \u2013 best midfield player for me in the world right now,” Thiago told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“When I was a player and played with him, and now that I am a coach, I have the same feeling that I had with Iniesta at that time.<\/p>\n
“Of this plasticity while playing, like moving all the time diagonally, and while you’re moving, you see what\u2019s happening around you and make the right decisions.”<\/p>\n
Thiago rightfully points to Pedri’s movement and the amount of ground he covers\u00a0\u2013 no player across Europe’s top five leagues made more than his 346 ball recoveries in 2025.<\/p>\n
No Barcelona midfielder could match Pedri’s 43 successful tackles last season, nor his 225 recoveries of possession.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Pedri has provided the perfect cover for Barcelona’s attacking riches that also includes Spain team-mate Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n
\nThe first shirt. The first name. Lamine Yamal. pic.twitter.com\/SjV7bnXlge<\/a><\/p>\n