"I have never seen anything like it. It is something out of all logic."
You may be forgiven for assuming that Luis Enrique 's words after the European Championship semi-finals last summer were describing the Spanish national team which dominated international football in the late 2000s and early 2010s. But no, he was talking about the star of Spain's next generation : Pedri.
Still only 19 - although he'll be 20 by the time La Roja play their second group match - the Barcelona midfielder is ready to make himself a true household name during the World Cup in Qatar and help Spain go at least one better than in their Euros campaign.
That's because Pedri, who isn't a La Masia graduate as some often mistake, has quickly become one of world football's most coveted young stars. The former Las Palmas ace wasted no time in making himself a staple of Ronaldo Koeman's Barcelona side which led to him playing an enormous 73 games for club and country in 2020-21, the breakout season for which he was named the Golden Boy.
A technical marvel with the speed of mind and body to match, the youngster is also a pillar of Enrique's Spanish team, packed full of vastly more experienced midfield stars such as Rodri and Sergio Busquets. Pedri's outstanding performance against eventual winners Italy in their Euro 2020 semi-final clash saw him announce himself on the European stage, despite losing on penalties. It prompted remarkable praise from his boss, who mentioned a certain Andres Iniesta while waxing lyrical post-match.
"Pedri is a unique player. I have never seen anything like it, not even Iniesta at the same age," Enrique claimed. "Have you seen the Euro that Pedri has done? I have not seen any 18-year-old player in any competition do the same. How he has performed, how he occupies the spaces, his personality... I have never seen anything like it. It is something out of all logic."
Barcelona fans have even nicknamed him 'Pedri Potter' for his magical displays, with the club shop capitalising on the fanfare and selling a t-shirt which reads: "Attention! This jersey contains high doses of magic. It can be detrimental to your rivals. Property of the Prince of the Golden Boy."
Alarmingly for other nations, however, Pedri isn't the only gifted Barcelona starlet who Enrique has in his ranks. Winner of 2022's Golden Boy award, Gavi, has also emerged as a star and threatens to outshine his teammate for club and country. At 18, he too looks set to be a starter at the World Cup alongside Pedri, with Busquets anchoring surely the tournament's best midfield trio.
Gavi and Pedri are both versatile midfielders who can operate in other areas of the pitch, too, epitomising the flexibility of Enrique's team. Fellow playmakers such as Atletico Madrid duo Koke and Marcos Llorente, Paris Saint-Germain's Carlos Soler and RB Leipzig fulcrum Dani Olmo can all switch their positions in game and were key to Spain's deep run at the Euros.
So too was their new-look back line. Gone are the days of relying on old heads Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, as left-footers Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres continue to forge a new partnership. There's plenty of experience in the full-back roles, with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta joining Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba as well as Barcelona prodigy Alex Balde.
In goal there's also a sense of freshness, with Athletic Bilbao 'keeper Unai Simon is expected to maintain his No.1 status in Qatar, although Premier League pair David Raya and Robert Sanchez - who were favoured over Manchester United stopper David de Gea and reborn Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga for their superior footwork - could oust him.
At the other end of the pitch, where Spain have had trouble in recent years, Atletico striker Alvaro Morata will once again be tasked with leading the line. His supporting cast includes 20-year-old Ansu Fati, whose injury woes have disrupted his astonishing progress at Barcelona, and Bilbao rising star Nico Williams, also just 20.
Unsurprisingly, qualification was a relative breeze for Enrique and co, losing just one of their eight games and topping a favourable group which included Sweden and Greece. Although some would argue that it's a tournament too early for Spain to reclaim their former glories, Enrique's contract situation suggests that someone else may well be in charge come 2023.
With his current deal expiring at the end of December, Enrique confirmed back in March that he'll only be renewing if La Roja have a positive World Cup campaign. "If things go wrong at the World Cup, you won't have to ask me to be fired any more," the 52-year-old boss quipped Spanish media.
Have your say! Will Spain rule the world again in Qatar? Join the debate in the comments section.
There's certainly a risk that Spain don't do well in Qatar - even at the group stage. With 2014 champions Germany, who're also heralding in a new generation under Hansi Flick, also in Group E along with World Cup regulars Japan and a wily Costa Rica outfit, there aren't any guarantees for Enrique to count on.
Likely to meet Belgium or Croatia in the first knockout round, too, La Roja's gaffer will do well replicate what predecessor Vicente del Bosque did in 2010. He'll just have to hope Pedri works his magic.
Spain stat pack
- FIFA world ranking: 7th
- Best World Cup finish: 1st - 2010
- 2018 finish: Round of 16
- Qualifying record: W6 D1 L1
- Goals scored: 15
- Goals conceded: 5
Group stage fixtures
- Costa Rica - Wednesday, November 23, 4pm - Al Thumama Stadium
- Germany - Sunday, November 27, 7pm - Al Bayt Stadium
- Japan - Thursday, December 1, 7pm - Khalifa International Stadium
