Golden Boy – Spanish midfielder Pedri, a relaxed and pleasant choice

Spanish midfielder Pedri is the best player in Europe under 21 in the traditional Golden Boy poll of the Italian newspaper Tuttosport for 2021. If in previous years, the prize has been awarded since 2003, the results have raised various doubts and the crowned has often been questioned, this time it was crystal clear:: Pedri, there was no other choice.

The utter dominance of the FC Barcelona midfielder was underlined by the editor-in-chief of the Italian newspaper Xavier Jacobelli when the results were announced. “Of the forty journalists representing the most prestigious media of our continent, twenty-four put Pedri in first place, nine in second, three in third,” Jacobelli stated that only four respondents did not put him in the medal position.

Pedri scooped a total of 318 points (each voter picked five players), leaving England’s Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund in second place by 119 points. “Never in the history of the poll has the gap to the winner been so gigantic,” the organiser’s representative stressed.

For me, as a representative of the Czech Republic, Pedri was the favourite from the start. The simple criteria – what each player achieved in a given year – spoke clearly for him. This was summed up by the comment that was attached to the vote. Out of respect for the organizer, it was in Italian, of course.

“Miglior giovane giocatore del campionato Europeo, senza aver giocato neppure un minuto con la nazionale Spagnola, medaglia di bronzo del campionato. Pedri é stato un valore aggiunto per la squadra, il centrocampista del Barcellona ha dimostrato di sapersi imporre nel calcio professionistico ai massimi livelli, é lui l´erede al trono.”

A player who never missed a minute in this year’s European Championship in a strong Spanish team, bronze medalists, and who was not just a number but a prominent figure, could not be overlooked and relegated to a lesser position.

Czech fans can only be disappointed that Czech talent Adam Hložek, who also took part in this year’s Euros and not only as an observer on the substitutes’ bench, did not make a bigger mark. The editors of the Italian newspaper included him among the 100 selected, but he dropped out during the selection process – after ten players – and ended up in the 60th.

The new king of the continent is Pedro González López, who has already impressed fans and experts alike on the football pitches under the fighting name of Pedri.

He will celebrate his nineteenth birthday on 25 November and could therefore be looking to win the Under-21 trophy for several years to come. However, the rule of the organiser, albeit unwritten, Italian newspaper Tuttosport is that he can only ascend to this throne once in his career.

Someone else will be crowned next time. Pedri, however, was an unlimited ruler for 2021.

Czech Voice

1. Pedri (Spain, FC Barcelona)

2. Jamal Musiala (Germany, Bayern Munich)

3. Rodrygo (Brazil, Real Madrid)

4. Saka (England, Arsenal)

5. Eduardo Camavinga (France, Real Madrid)

Source: Tuttosport