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 unaware of next season's future

Asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Spanish second division club Tenerife if they promote (read more here), Barcelona wing attacker Pedro (22) has said in an interview with Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión de Tenerife that he doesn't yet know where he will play next season:

"I'm from Tenerife, so of course I wish that they promote. But I don't know anything about my future. Barcelona is having a magnificent season and it's true there are a lot of players being linked with other clubs.

I guess that's a sign that we're doing a good job and in my case I can only say that it would be an honour if they're interested in me. So it's a good sign but nothing more.

It’s too early to talk about next season. We're now all focused on what we have left in the three competitions. I think the normal thing will happen: when the season ends, we'll talk and we'll see what the outcome of that will be. I know where I am and how difficult it is to find a place in this team. For me it's an honour to be able to play together with the best players in the world. I just need to work and to be patient. If I keep on working, the chances will come."

Read more:
Pedro could leave on loan
Pedro: "If the coach needs me, I will be ready"
Pedro loan could get Barcelona Celta talent Joselu


Watch a video of Pedro here:

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

Barça B: Jeffren satisfied with U-21 debut

Asked about his debut with the Spanish under-21 national team earlier this month (read more and watch a video here), Barcelona Atlètic winger Jeffren Suárez (21) looked back at his debut in an interview with Tenerife local newspaper La Opinión:

"To make your debut with Spain Under-21 is special. I actually felt really good. I left the pitch with a satisfied feeling. I even had two chances to score, which is not bad at all in little more than half an hour.

Of course I would have liked to play a little more, but I'm not complaining because I know how hard it is to get there. It's not bad at all to have gotten the chance to play my first game on that level. I will now keep on working with the hope of being part of the squad in the coming official games but I know it won't be easy.

I already knew almost all the players, except for two or three, so from that point of view thigns were quite positive. Although it was a different experience then when I played with the Under-19. We're talking about another level here and my personal situation is also different.

Some of the players I played with in the Under-19, like Piqué, Mata or Capel, were lucky to be promoted a little faster but I really think that I'm on the right way. I feel really good after coming back from the last injry I suffered (read more here). I've noticed an important change, even mentally, in the way I'm dealing with things. Physically, I've also made a lot of progress.

I can play and I have played on both wings, although lately I'm playing more on the right. For me, it's the same where I play but it's true that I feel more comfortable on the right. The chance to get to the first team of Barcelona is there, although I'm the first to recognize that it's very, very complicated at this moment."

Read more:
Difficult 'Spain or Venezuela' choice for Jeffren
Barça B: Victor Vazquez and Jeffren sign renewal
International: Jeffren and Botia make U21 debut

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"