Barcelona’s players make up a large portion of Spain’s squad at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, and the team’s struggles on the global stage have often been attributed to the underwhelming performances of the Catalan stars.

While Lamine Yamal has understandably found it difficult to regain full rhythm following his injury, another player who has not yet reached his expected level is Pedri Gonzalez.

The Barcelona midfielder, widely recognised as one of the finest young talents in world football, has not managed to dominate the tournament in the manner he is capable of. His particularly poor showing against Portugal drew notable criticism.

Speaking to SPORT ahead of Spain’s quarterfinal clash with Belgium, Pedri opened up about the criticism he has faced and admitted that his display against Portugal was below his usual standards.

“Yes. I consider myself an important player for the team. It’s true that personally, the last game was not good, but I know I can improve and do much better,” he said confidently.

“The good thing about football is that you immediately have another chance,” he added, reflecting on the opportunity for redemption.

The midfielder acknowledged that the online criticism had reached him and that he is aware of what is being said about his performances.

“Yes, they have reached me, but I am aware of what I do. I know when I play well and when I play badly, I don’t need anyone to tell me,” Pedri remarked.

“I think it wasn’t one of my best games of the season or my career. You have to be self-critical and I am convinced that in the next game I will do better,” he continued.

When asked about the reasons behind his recent dip in form, Pedri reflected on the tactical and positional differences between his roles for Barcelona and the Spanish national team.

“There are always nuances, depending on the coach and teammates. Rodri, for example, is a much more positional player, while with Frenkie de Jong, the midfield is more dynamic. They are two world-class football players and you have to adapt,” he explained.

Touching upon the scrutiny Barcelona players face when playing for Spain, Pedri said, “We are always criticised for something. Sometimes it seems that Barça players, and also those of other teams when they come to the national team, are not valued enough.”

He added, “We have great players and sometimes we don’t appreciate all the talent here.”

When asked if Spain still saw themselves as favourites to win the tournament despite some inconsistent performances, Pedri replied, “Yes. From the beginning, we said that we were coming to win it. They pointed us out as favourites and we had no problem accepting it.”

“We are aware that we are doing very well, but from now on no one is going to give us anything,” he added.

Highlighting Spain’s defensive solidity, Pedri said, “We have shown it. We haven’t conceded any goals yet and we are a very reliable team. We all work for the team, no one stops running and that makes us a big family. We have to keep it up.”

Speaking about his personal contribution and creative role in the team, Pedri noted, “I always try to give that last pass and leave my teammates in better condition. In a World Cup, it is complicated because the rivals defend very well, but I always try to unbalance.”

He also praised Ferran Torres for his impactful cameo against Portugal, which proved crucial in Spain’s progress. “Ferran’s impact was very good. And Mikel has a lot of goals. He is always well placed inside the area and that is a gift that must be taken advantage of,” Pedri said.

When asked about his opinion on Julian Alvarez, who has been linked with a potential move to Barcelona, Pedri responded, “Of course. Who doesn’t like it? He is a world-class player. We’ll see what happens with his future.”

Finally, responding to a question about Real Madrid’s recent spree of signings, Pedri said calmly, “No. After two years without winning, it is normal that they want to strengthen themselves and try to change things.”

He reiterated, “I see it totally logical that they want to strengthen themselves and try to change things.”