Former Real Madrid midfielder, Bernd Schuster, has thrown his support behind Barcelona’s Pedri for this season’s Ballon d’Or, naming the young Spaniard among the standout performers of the year.
According to Schuster, Pedri stands out as a top candidate, alongside Paris Saint-Germain duo Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé.
In a conversation with Mundo Deportivo, Schuster emphasized the importance of upcoming tournaments in shaping the Ballon d’Or race.
He said, “It’s an opportunity for everyone, including coaches, who we often forget about. The whole world will be watching, all the top teams are there, and for certain players already in the conversation, this is a key moment to seal the deal. I’d put Dembélé, Mbappé, and Pedri in the mix. Pedri’s chances depend on what happens in the tournament—he’s had a spectacular season and I’d love to see him win it. But if not, then either Mbappé or Dembélé could take it.”
Meanwhile, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has highlighted the efforts of PSG stars Vitinha and Nuno Mendes, recognizing their dual impact at club and international level.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Raphinha of Barcelona have also entered the Ballon d’Or conversation following their stellar campaigns.
Pedri himself has not shied away from expressing his ambition to win the prestigious award.
In an earlier interview with UEFA, the midfield maestro admitted that Rodri’s Ballon d’Or triumph last year gave him the belief that he, too, could one day lift the coveted prize.
He told GOAL, “Since Rodri won it, it’s shown that a player who runs the midfield and dictates the tempo and the rhythm of the game can win a Ballon d’Or. I was really pleased he won it because aside from the season he had, I really enjoy playing with him when I’m with the national team. He’s a player who controls the game really well, wins the ball back, gets forward, scores goals – he’s everywhere on the pitch.”
“It’s always been a dream of mine to lift the Ballon d’Or. But right now, there’s a month to go, and the focus is on the team – on winning the three trophies, which is what really matters and once that month’s over, we’ll see if we can start talking about things like that.”
Adding more weight to Barcelona’s presence in the Ballon d’Or race is the phenomenal rise of Lamine Yamal.
At just 17 years old, the teenage sensation has delivered eye-catching performances for both club and country, making him another strong contender in this year’s race.
