Pedri breaks Lionel Messi’s Barcelona milestone

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona have some players who fit in as absolutely undisputed starters, and these players are the heart and soul of the team on the field.

Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Joan Garcia and Raphinha are some of the players who fall into the said category, but one player who sits ahead of them as the spine of the side is Pedri Gonzalez.

Since he arrived in Catalonia as a bright young talent, Pedri has been a pillar in Barcelona’s midfield and has only gotten better with every passing season.

At this point, it is seemingly unthinkable for Barcelona to manage without his brilliance in midfield.

A special record

Pedri started alongside Gavi as part of the double pivot for Barcelona in the team’s recent win over Osasuna last night, and it was a special occasion for the Canary Islander.

Pedri made his 200th Barcelona start. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The clash at El Sadar, after all, marked Pedri’s 200th start for Barcelona, and he has now become the youngest player to hit that number.

The previous record holders in that respect were Xavi Hernandez, who made his 200th start at 24 years and 44 days, and Lionel Messi, who broke the record at an impressive age of 23 years and 227 days.

Pedri, at the time of his 200th start, was just 23 years and 159 days and thus broke the record held by the club’s Argentine legend.

Still just 23, it is astonishing that Pedri already has 200 starts for the club and he will hold the record for the near future.

Given how Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi are still teenagers and already guaranteed starters week in and week out, however, they are well poised to take over and break even Pedri’s record age at 200 starts.