Pedri dazzles Europe and captivates Henry

Pedri González has once again left everyone in Europe speechless. His performance in FC Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Newcastle in the group stage of the 2025-26 Champions League earned him the admiration not only of Barça fans, but also of the legendary Thierry Henry.

In his comments for CBS, Henry surprised everyone with a compliment that has already gone viral on social media: “He's the player who most resembles Laudrup.” This is a huge recognition that places the youngster on a par with one of the most elegant and decisive European players of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“Pedri has a vision of the game that is reminiscent of the greats of the past. His ball control, ability to accelerate the pace, and intelligence in reading the game make him unique at his age,” added Henry, highlighting the footballing maturity of the 22-year-old.

Recognition from other soccer legends

This isn't the first time Pedri has been compared to the greats. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes also praised the young Barça player's talent: “My new favorite footballer,” he wrote on social media. Jack Grealish, now at Everton, added to the praise: “Pedri and De Jong are a joy to watch,” making it clear that his football does not go unnoticed, even by players who made their mark in England.

Pedri, the heir to European elegance

The comparison with Michael Laudrup is no coincidence. Both share an innate ability to manage space, connect lines, and decide games at key moments. Under Hansi Flick, Pedri has found his ideal position, playing freely and accumulating key minutes.

So far, the midfielder has played 441 minutes this season, almost without rest, proving that his physical endurance is on par with his technical quality.

In addition, his teammate Frenkie de Jong confirmed that Pedri deserves to be in the Ballon d'Or conversation: “If Pedri is among the candidates, he also has a chance,” he said. The combination of talent, intelligence, and consistency makes the Spaniard one of the most valuable players at Barça and in European soccer.

Can Pedri reach Laudrup's level?

Though Michael Laudrup shone in multiple European leagues and cups, Pedri has one advantage: his adaptation to modern soccer and his ability to dominate fast-paced games, something that Henry seems to have noticed. At just 22 years old, he has the foundation to match or even surpass his iconic predecessor, provided he maintains his consistency and avoids the injuries that have limited his continuity in previous seasons.