Barcelona's Teenage Sensation Wants His 'Friend' Lionel Messi To Return To Camp Nou

FC Barcelona's young midfielder Pedri wants Lionel Messi back at Camp Nou as he is sad to see his "friend" struggle at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

Messi ended his iconic association with Barcelona at the end of the 2020-21 season and moved to PSG on a free transfer last summer. However, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has struggled to replicate the success he had at Barcelona at his new club. Having played in 26 competitive matches for PSG in the 2021-22 campaign, Messi has managed to score only seven goals and provide 11 assists.

Following PSG's elimination from the Champions League, Messi, along with Neymar, was booed by their home fans.

Pedri, who has made 18 appearances for Barcelona this season across competitions, is keeping an eye on Messi's situation at PSG. He admitted he is sad seeing his ex-captain going through a tough time in Paris.

"Whenever I can, I watch his matches because you learn a lot by watching the best footballer in the world play. But it's true that when things don't work out for a friend, as I consider him, it hurts a bit. I've had a great time with Leo on the pitch and off it, he's a magnificent person so I hope he can come back. I had fun playing with him and it is a joy to have him as a team-mate," Pedri told Spanish outlet La Vanguardia.

After rising through the youth set up at Las Palmas, Pedri moved to Barcelona in the summer of 2020. In his first season at Barcelona, Pedri played 52 competitive matches, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Just like Messi's start in France, Barcelona also went through a difficult time following their best player's departure. However, the results have improved ever since club legend Xavi took over their charge in November.

Barcelona, who were lingering in No. 8 or No. 9 in the La Liga table for the first half of the 2021-22 season, are now placed third and are the only side in the Spanish league to have won all their last five games.

Xavi's efforts have begun to pay off and the testimony to the same is Barcelona's recent emphatic 4-0 victory against Real Madrid at Santigo Bernabeu. Moreover, the Catalan club is on a streak of 12 unbeaten games.

"Xavi transmits confidence to us"

Speaking about Xavi, Pedri has said the former club captain has helped change his game and is happy with the impact he has on the team.

"He always tells me to get forward, that any rebound or any play can result in a goal with a loose ball and that I can push on and help the team. And I have to pay attention to him because he's absolutely right; a goal in a play like this helps the team a lot," the teenager said.

"He is a coach who transmits confidence to us in all areas because he knows very well what he wants to do with the team and, as footballers, we understand it perfectly. We know that we have to be able to control the game through possession and that is what he insists on the most," added Pedri.