Pedri takes three days to break own La Liga record

Pedro González López, popularly known as Pedri, set a new La Liga record for the season for the second time in just three days as he starred in Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Mallorca on Tuesday night.

It took Pedri just three days to break his own La Liga record as Barcelona midfielder is hailed as ‘best player in the world’ after Mallorca masterclass.

The 22-year-old broke his record in La Liga this season just three days after he originally topped the same chart against Celta Vigo, prompting fans to hail the Spaniard as the “best player in the world”.

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The Spaniard’s 18 ball recoveries recorded on Tuesday is the most by any La Liga player in a single game this season, beating the record of 17, which he set himself in Barca’s dramatic 4-3 win over Celta over the weekend.

The Spain midfielder had earlier received praise from his manager and Mallorca before Barca’s win on Tuesday, which pushed them seven points clear of Real Madrid in the title race.

“It’s difficult to say what Pedri’s limit is. He’s currently at a very high level. Not only when he has the ball, but also without it.

“He helps us a lot defensively, and everyone knows how good he is,” Barca coach Hansi Flick told reporters after the game.

Meanwhile, Mallorca manager Jagoba Arrasate claimed he’d not seen a footballer like Pedri in a long time:

“When you see Pedri, you analyse him and you enjoy from your TV. But then you see him against you and you want him to stop. I haven’t seen a midfielder like this in a long time.”

Pedri’s career has been plagued by a poor record with injuries in his first few seasons and inconsistencies.

However, he has been among the best players in the world this season, having put his fitness worries behind him.

According to ESPN, Pedri has 227 ball recoveries in La Liga this season, 56 more than anyone else.

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The youngster has been an important player for Flick, showing efficiency in equal measure both on and off the ball.

Indeed, his 18 ball recoveries against Mallorca are the most for any player in Europe’s top-five leagues in the 2024/25 campaign.

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