Pedri’s shirt number for the 2022/23 campaign has been revealed by FC Barcelona on Friday.
The youngster was handed the No. 16 shirt in his first season with the club, with the No. 8 shirt then occupied by Bosnia international Miralem Pjanic.
Pedri was forced to fight for his spot and a better number, and did so, helping Barcelona to the 2021 Copa del Rey under Ronald Koeman. But whilst Pjanic was loaned out to Besiktas, Pedri was still retained the No. 16 as the No. 8 was handed instead to the returning Dani Alves.
However, now the Brazilian has departed the club for a second time, Pedri has finally been given the coveted No.8.
Eight it is! 8️⃣
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 8, 2022
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With Pedri now Barcelona’s No.8, he will inevitably see the comparisons to Andreas Iniesta, who also donned the No.8 whilst in Catalonia. But he seemingly does not mind.
The young midfielder has previously spoken out about the comparisons with Iniesta, stating: “I am aware of the importance I have at Barça and I can deal with it calmly. The team is more important than the player.
“It’s flattering to be compared to your hero because you are doing things right. Iniesta was crazy brilliant and I take it as motivation.”
Pedri also spoke about the possibility of he and Gavi becoming the new Xavi and Iniesta: “Let’s hope we can be a duo like Xavi and Iniesta but it will tough to repeat what they did.
“I have a special relationship with him and I really appreciate him, he has great potential.”
