How Pedri surpassed Lionel Messi’s Barca record and cemented place in history books
How Pedri surpassed Lionel Messi’s Barca record and cemented place in history books
Pedri a standout star
Pedri has been in inspired form for club and country over the past 12 months, with the 18-year-old having played a combined 66 times for the pair since his debut for Barcelona in September 2020.
His performances at Euro 2020 were enough to win him the golden boy prize at the tournament, while he also went on to win silver with Spain at the Tokyo Olympics just a month later.
The #EURO2020 individual award winners:
Golden Boot: Cristiano Ronaldo:
Player of the Tournament: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Young Player of the Tournament: Pedri pic.twitter.com/kSdb0oiBa8— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) July 12, 2021
He has since been awarded with a new contract, which runs until 2026, and has a 1 billion euro release clause inserted into it. And now, he has been crowned Tuttosports Golden Boy, a prize previously won by the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Kylian Mbappe.
Pedri is named 2021’s Golden Boy ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZORntsAHB0
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 22, 2021
Speaking via The Athletic, the teenager said:
“I thank Tuttosport for this trophy, which makes me proud. Thanks also to all the members of the jury and the fans who have always supported me in this simply incredible 2021 for me.
“And of course, many thanks to Barca, the national team, my family, my friends and obviously to all those who have been close to me day after day. Without them I would not have been able to win the Golden Boy award.”
Spaniard continues to set records
Now, an altogether new record set by the Spaniard has emerged, leaving previous winners in his wake.
As per the official results, decided by 40 journalists across Europe, Pedri collected 24 first-place votes, 9 second-place votes, and three third-place votes.
This means that he finished a whopping 199 points ahead of Jude Bellingham in second place, setting a new record for the largest margin of victory.
OFFICIAL: Pedri has been named the 2021 European Golden Boy, finishing 199 points ahead of Jude Bellingham in second place.
It’s the largest margin of victory in the award’s history. ✨ pic.twitter.com/Wo46r2BUd8
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 22, 2021
The record is one that not even the illustrious Lionel Messi can lay claim to, and is perhaps an indicator of just how good Barcelona’s latest gem really could be.
