Pedro: "The national team? Why not?"

Barcelona player Pedro gave an interview to Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife.





Tell us about your new contract. What does it mean to be a professional Barça player now?
First of all, it's a dream come true. It means being a full part of the first team, so it's not possible to play with the B team anymore. It's another chance and I hope to take it. It's a new opportunity to learn even more.

Who told you the news?
The coach publicly said that he wanted me to stay and then my representatives started negotiating with the club.

And then you had to sign the contract. What did Laporta tell you?
He congratulated me and said he was proud of my work, especially because I was another youth player that became a part of the first team.

The contract proves you right in a way. You have always said you thought you had a place in this team and now you're there...
Yes, I have always said that. I had this mindset for quite a long time and look where it has gotten me, I have reached my goal. But things don't stop here. You have to continue.

Where is your limit? Is playing with the national team a realistic desire?
The national team? Why not? It is very difficult, there is a lot of competition and the coach seems to have a more or less fixed squad but I always want more.

You are very modest but at the same time very ambitious.
Of course, you have to be ambitious and long for more if you want to keep on making progress.

You have never had it easy, but will it be easier this season now that Barcelona didn't buy a winger?
No. I have always said that I am relaxed about that because I am used to competition. And not just some competition, but competition from the best players in the world. In that cases you have to look to the future with optimism, believe in your qualities and be aware that the coach also believes in you. I don't see competition as something negative. It's good for the team and in my opinion also good for the individual player.


Read more:
Ten Things You Should Know About Pedro
OFFICIAL: Pedro renews until 2014
Pedro: "If the coach needs me, I will be ready"

Pedro: "If the coach needs me, I will be ready"

Barcelona player Pedro gave an interview to Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife.





What did the starting spot on Saturday mean to you?
It was great news for me. I’m very happy that I have been able to play again and because the coach has put his trust in me, but I was happier for the team than for myself. It was an important game, we needed the points and we won.

And you played a good game.
Well, yes. I added what I could. I always analyze my own performance to see where I can improve and during the game on Saturday, I maybe missed some depth and some sharpness to finish better. I had a good chance to score but Asenjo stopped the ball well. My time will come.

What did Guardiola tell you before the game?
Nothing special. That I should go out there relaxed and that I should play like I can. I think the coach knows me well, he knows who I am and what I can contribute. That’s the main thing for me, that he makes me feel important and that he continues to believe in me.

When did you know that you would play?
Only on Saturday. Although you always work to have minutes, the truth is I didn’t know anything about it before the day of the match.

You were starting to lose hope after all those weeks without playing time?
No, not at all. I know where I am and how difficult it is to find a place in this team. If I keep on working, the chances will come.

People from Barcelona told us that your attitude has been exemplary, also when you again had to play with the second team.
When I’m playing with the second team, I also try to grab the chances as good as possible. It’s a good thing for me that I can play with them when I can’t be with the first team. It’s also a nice group of players, things are going well, we’re competing with the best in the league.

You could be part of a team that makes history since you’re still competing for the three trophies.
Yes, that’s right. Time goes by and we’re still there in all the competitions. Things have gone well so far so it’s clear what we have to do: go on like this and not change things. We’ll soon know what our goal can be because the important games are coming up. But it’s clear that we should stay calm. We didn’t win anything yet.

It looks like you’re going to have more chances with all mid-week games that are coming up.
I don’t know. I already mentioned that the competition is fierce and that it’s difficult to play. Let’s hope it will be the case. If the coach thinks I should play, I will be ready.

Whatever happens, you will have had a great season.
Yes, I cannot complain. It’s a privilege to be here but that doesn’t mean one can relax. On the contrary. What counts is to work and learn every day, like I’m trying to do. But you’re right: because of everything what is happening to me, the season will be good for sure.


Read more:
Pedro could leave on loan
Pedro: "I want to work hard so I can stay"
No contract renewal talks yet for Pedro

Pedro: "I want to work hard so I can stay"

Barcelona player Pedro gave an interview to Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife.




How did your life change when you left the isle of Tenerife four years ago?
It was a very big change and I admit it was difficult at the beginning. I wasn't used to the people, the city, I didn't know how to connect with other people, I don't know... Later everything changed and things went better. I had a good relationship with my team-mates and that was the start of my adaptation to Barcelona and to Barça.

What was the most difficult thing?
Without any doubt the first months, the first year with the Juvenil team. Now I can look back and I remember that the start was hard, difficult. I looked around and I missed my friends, my family... But you get used to that. And it's honestly vital, fundamental that you have good team-mates around you.

What was your impression the first day you trained with the first team.
I was truly impressed. I saw great players everywhere I looked but I can sincerely say that it wasn't hard to connect with them. You immediately start to work and they make you feel like one of the guys and not as the new kid.

Who helped you integrating?
They all did actually. Everyone tries to give some advice to me and the others who were promoted to the first team. They all made sure we didn't feel lost or discriminated. We were very young when we started training with the first team so then it's important to feel supported and appreciated.

How do the players deal with each other in such a big club?
There's a very good atmosphere. It's a big club, a big team and one has the feeling that it's a privilege to be able to play here. I'm aware of that and I try to enjoy it every day, every game, every moment. And to learn as much as possible.

How is Guardiola?
It's a great coach, a man with a great personality who is able to get his football philosophy through: what he wants and how he wants it. I think you really see his ideas reflected on the pitch.

What are your goals this season?
To continue to grow. In my case this means more minutes, training with the team, finding myself a place, making the coach believe a little more in me. It's clear that it isn't easy but that's why I work hard, I give my best every day.

You hope to stay for many years at Barcelona?
I have two years left on my contract, but I don't think about the future. I don't know if they will renew the contract or not, but my plan is to work hard so I can stay.

Where's your limit?
I don't like to set myself long-term goals, butit's clear that it's a dream for me to play here and of course it would be even better if we would be able to win all possible trophies this season. We're an ambitious team and we're gonna fight for it. It would be incredible to be able to celebrate a trophy with my team-mates and to live this great year as a part of the squad.


This was the second and last part of this interview. You can read the first part here:
"Messi is my idol"

Read more:
No contract renewal talks yet for Pedro
An introduction to the coming stars
Xavi: "Messi is playing at his own level"

Pedro: "Messi is my idol"

Barcelona player Pedro gave an interview to Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife.




On Tuesday, you again played some minutes after having been sidelined for several games.
Yes, and I'm truly happy to have played but above all to have won. It was great to play on Tuesday because the game and the competition were important. And even if it's only ten minutes, that's ten minutes... I should grab the chances that are offered to me to the fullest and I think I'm doing that.

You replaced Messi, which has to be a privilege.
Of course. I've never hidden that he's my idol. Leo is a great footballer, a key player in the world of football right now and for me the best player in the world. The truth is that I'm very happy to have him as a team-mate.

You feel like being part of the best team in the world?
Looking at the results and the way we play, you can say that Barcelona is one of the best teams in Europe and the world, but we should stay calm. Step by step, game by game. We're working very hard to play at this level and we're convinced that this is the way to success.

You feel like it's easier to play with this team because you're surrounded by all those excellent players?
Yes, everything becomes easier with team-mates like the ones I have but at the same time their talent makes it very difficult to play here. The level at Barça is very high and it's important to have playing time.

Everything went very fast for you?
Yes, it did, I almost didn't have time to adapt. The recipe to get there is to work every day with modesty, with calm... At the end, each morning you see all those fabulous players around you and you start to realize you're part of a great club.

Can we say that everything has turned out well for you since arriving in Barcelona?
Well, actually that's right. Everything has gone very well since the day I arrived here. They offered me to join the Juvenil team, I played a lot from the start and we won everything that season. It has been an honour to work with great coaches. I learnt a lot from all of them. I owe a lot to them and I'm very grateful to them, like to Barcelona for giving me this chance.

Although you're very young, football alreay gave you a lot of magic moments. You scored the decisive goal in the Copa for Juvenil teams, you made your debut in the fourth division when you were 16 years old, you soon made your debut in the first division, you scored your first goal...
And it all seems like it happened yesterday. It's true that football gave me a lot of great moments and of course I don't forget any of them, not even the ones I lived years ago, at the start of my career.


This was the first part of this interview. You will be able to read the second part here in the coming days with Pedro talking -among other things- about joining Barcelona and how he sees his future at the club.

Read more:
Pedro loan could get Barcelona Celta talent Joselu
Puyol: "Things aren't won until you lift the cup"
Barcelona to pay additional fee for Pedro