CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, June 26, Pedri has offered a characteristically candid assessment of his Barcelona and Spain teammate Gavi, describing the midfielder as both a source of strength and occasional consternation as La Roja prepare for the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup.
The Barcelona midfield pair are among eight Catalan representatives in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada . Gavi, who recovered from a serious knee injury to earn his place on the plane, has brought his trademark intensity to Spain’s camp, much to the amusement and occasional exasperation of those around him .
“I think he’s both a support and a headache. There are days when I want to kill him and others when I love him a lot,” Pedri told RTVE .
Gavi’s personality has made him one of the most popular figures in Spain’s dressing room, his penchant for jokes and high energy antics balanced by an unmistakable tenacity on the pitch. The 21 year old’s return from injury has bolstered a Spanish midfield that struggled for fluency in their tournament opener against Cape Verde but found rhythm with a resounding 4-0 victory over Saudi Arabia .
Pedri also expressed confidence in Ferran Torres, who has yet to open his account at the tournament. The forward, known affectionately as “Ferri” within the squad, was twice denied against Saudi Arabia, but his teammate is adamant goals will follow.
“Ferri is a player who can contribute a lot to the team. Against Saudi Arabia I was hoping that goal would go in. I’m sure it will come; he’ll score important goals. We help each other out,” Pedri added .
The presence of eight Barcelona players in Spain’s World Cup squad underscores the Catalan club’s influence on the national team’s identity. Pedri and Gavi, in particular, embody the dual nature of Spain’s midfield approach: the former providing poise and control, while the latter brings relentless pressing and competitive fire . That balance will be essential as Spain look to build momentum in the knockout rounds.
Reporting by Azuka;Editing by Betandsured team
