The Champions League clash between FC Barcelona and Newcastle United delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the week: that of Pedri González. His masterclass at St. James’ Park stole the spotlight and drew praise from one of English football’s most respected voices, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes.

What Did Scholes Say About Pedri?

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, which he co-hosts with Nicky Butt and comedian Paddy McGuinness, Scholes had no hesitation when naming his Top-5 midfielders in world football:

“Number 1 is Pedri. When I watched him against Newcastle, I said, wow! He’s like a combination of Xavi and Iniesta. And it’s not just about his feet — it’s about his football intelligence.”

Why Compare Him to Barça Legends?

Scholes highlighted the Spaniard’s ability to solve complex situations with deceptively simple techniques: subtle touches, shoulder feints, and quick passing combinations. According to the United legend, those qualities make Pedri reminiscent of the very best of Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta during their prime at Barcelona.

What Impressed Scholes the Most?

The turning point for Scholes was Pedri’s composure in the closing minutes at St. James’ Park:

“When Newcastle scored, there were 8 minutes of stoppage time. I thought it was going to be thrilling… But Pedri had the ball for 7 of those 8 minutes. He completely controlled the game. I thought it was brilliant.”

The Englishman admitted he hasn’t followed LaLiga closely in recent years, which made Pedri’s brilliance all the more surprising to him.