Pedri smiling to repay the faith

Pedri is smiling again in the red shirt of Spain, with the staff happy about the long-awaited return of the Canary Islander, as Luis de la Fuente announced in Badajoz. “I have good news. Pedri is back,” said the coach, reinforcing that statement was the notable performance from the midfielder. Besides his usual clarity in his passing play, he scored two goals, his first two with the national team.

This confidence has been reciprocal, and Pedri speaks affectionately when asked about the coach: “It was, above all, a motivation because, in the difficult moments of your career, having someone who is attentive to you, who says ‘don’t worry, recover soon, we’re waiting for you…’ These are things people don’t value from the outside, but from the inside, when you’re down, it gives you motivation and a great desire to repay that faith on the field.”

He is eternally grateful to De la Fuente, whom he also highlights for his ability to build a team. “He is a coach who cares a lot about keeping the group united, as such we have a good time together, we have fun… He is always saying that we are a family, and we are. We have many things to play for, to stay united… He especially cares that we are comfortable in the residence, that we have the necessary materials for rest during the hours we’re not training, so that we can take care of ourselves… It’s incredible.”

And that atmosphere is felt in the Spain squad , which has already had three training sessions in Germany. There is commitment, that’s evident, and the bonds among the 26 internationals are also strengthening. “Both I and several teammates are always trying to laugh, to have a good time… We don’t have our families, but we have to enjoy ourselves, and that shows on the field. When you have fun with someone, when you have a friend, you’ll give everything for them.”

Pedri is playing in his second Euros and dreams of achieving something great, recalling his childhood when he enjoyed the national team’s successes like any other child. “I always watched the tournaments with my father, with the people I love most in this world. And above all, I remember the emotion, the happiness. When your national team plays, you dream of being there. Hopefully, I can do it, it would be top.”