“I have never witnessed anything like it. It defies all logic.”

You might assume that these words from Luis Enrique, spoken after last summer’s European Championship semi-finals, were referring to the dominant Spanish national team of the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, he was actually describing the rising star of Spain’s next generation: Pedri.

At just 19, although he will turn 20 before La Roja’s second group match, the Barcelona midfielder is poised to establish himself as a household nɑмe during the World Cup in Qatar, aiming to surpass Spain’s performance in the Euros.

Pedri, not a La Masia graduate as commonly thought, has rapidly become one of the most sought-after young talents in world football. In the 2020-21 season, he played a remarkable 73 games for club and country, earning him the Golden Boy award for that breakout season.

A technical marvel with both мentɑl and physical agility, Pedri is a key player in Enrique’s Spanish team, alongside more experienced midfield stars like Rodri and Sergio Busquets. His exceptional performance against eventual Euro 2020 winners Italy in the semi-final showcased his talent, drawing praise from Enrique, who even likened him to Andres Iniesta.

“Pedri is a unique player. I have never seen anything like it, not even Iniesta at the same age,” Enrique stated. The manager highlighted Pedri’s outstanding Euro 2020 performance and described it as “something out of all logic.”

Dubbed ‘Pedri Potter’ by Barcelona fans for his magical displays, the club capitalized on his popularity by selling a T-shirt celebrating his prowess.

Excitingly for Spain, Pedri is not the only gifted Barcelona talent in Enrique’s squad. Golden Boy award winner Gavi, at 18, is another emerging star who could outshine his teammate. Both players are versatile midfielders, adding flexibility to Enrique’s team.

Spain’s defense has undergone a transformation, with Aymeric Laporte and Pau Torres forming a new partnership, replacing the reliance on aging players like Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. The full-back roles boast experience with players like Cesar Azpilicueta, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, and rising star Alex Balde.

In goal, Unai Simon is expected to maintain his No.1 status, but competition from David Raya and Robert Sanchez is notable. The attacking line features Alvaro Morata as the lead striker, supported by talents like Ansu Fati and Nico Williams.

While qualification was relatively smooth, with Spain losing just one of eight games in a favorable group, some ɑrgᴜe it might be too early for Spain to reclaim their former glory. Enrique’s contract situation adds an interesting element, with his renewal hinging on a positive World Cup campaign, as confirmed by the manager in March. “If things go wrong at the World Cup, you won’t have to ask me to be fired anymore,” quipped the 52-year-old boss to Spanish media.