At the end of a long day in Barcelona, Pedri finally addresses the elephant in the room: the giant FIFA event that kicks off in June. He and everyone around him are thinking about it, even as they’re trying to stay cool and comfortable and in the moment. “The World Cup is obviously something we’d all love to bring home,” said Pedro González López, better known as the mononymous Pedri. The 23-year-old Pedri is, of course, the humble and beloved Spanish pro-soccer player, a midfielder for La Liga champions FC Barcelona as well as the Spanish national team. He is expected to be a key player if Spain hopes to win the gleaming 18-karat gold prize at the 2026 World Cup.
The weight of it all, for Spain as a team and nation but also for Pedri as an individual, is impossible to ignore. The odds for the 2026 World Cup on DraftKings have Spain tied with France as the betting favorite to win. Though Spain has played in the World Cup 16 times, in 2010 it became one of only eight teams to ever win the trophy. With Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Ferran Torres, Pau Cubarsí and others, the 2026 team is stacked with stars. Yet it’s Pedri, with his technical proficiency, attention to detail and inexplicable magic on the pitch, who has become the symbol of Spain’s strength and what it will take to win again.
Shooting Star
Pedri was born in the Canary Islands. At 13, he signed with Laguna, a local team, and even at that young age, his ability was evident. From there, his ascent would be stunningly swift: At 16, he signed with a La Liga second-division team, Las Palmas, and was quickly scooped up by Barcelona the following year. He began playing on the first team in 2020. That same year, he made his debut on Spain’s Under 21 squad, and in 2021, he joined Spain’s senior team for World Cup qualifiers.
Pedri is known for his remarkable ability to contain pressure in the tightest corners and a high soccer IQ, with precise passing. His calm at the center of the pitch steadies the entire team, and like the greats Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta he’s often compared to, he’s hardly selfish on the field.
“I always try to help the team as much as possible,” he said. “I try not to lose possession, to run for the team and for myself. In fact, I think my greatest strength is always looking out for what benefits the team.”
It’s the Boots
These hailed skills and his charming humility have won him fans the world over. Not surprisingly, they’ve also won him a tight Adidas partnership. His custom Adidas “Predri” Predator boots are impossible to miss during a match. The bright orange wonders feature a “Predri Since 2002” wordmark honoring his birth year and a distinctive banana icon — a clever nod to his nickname, Mr. Banana, inspired by his birthplace in the Canaries. Most soccer boots are smooth, but Predators are actually sticky, making them perfect for Pedri, who controls the ball and the pace of the game. Additionally, the foldover tongue (something often absent on modern boots) covers the laces, giving Pedri a clean surface with which to pass or strike the ball. “I think the Predator is a boot that everyone likes. Bringing back the tongue feels spectacular to me. And the Predri detail really excited me from the moment it was proposed to me,” he raved of his custom boots, “because it meant having a part of such an iconic boot feel like it was mine.”
The Face of Adidas
Pedri’s cultural cachet has transcended the pitch, thanks in part to Adidas’ marketing. He’s the face of the Adidas Predator boot line and has appeared in Adidas’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaigns. In one spot for TikTok, he takes in the new Adidas clothes to be worn at the World Cup wearing a subtly sophisticated purple-brown jacket and matching pants, with a black belt and crisp white T-shirt. When he turns to the camera, he’s all smiles. “I’ve always loved that classic touch they have. I’m someone who likes classic things and doesn’t really like straying too far from the timeless essentials,” Pedri said.
Fashion feels natural on Pedri. He’s down-to-earth in his own approach to his closet. The ultimate deserted-island piece of clothing he can’t live without? A good hoodie. But there’s strategy in his wardrobe swapping. “Just like on the pitch, off it too, when it comes to dressing, I like paying attention to details,” he said. “At the same time, I want to feel comfortable and free so I can adapt to every situation. Sometimes I dress more sporty, with more technical pieces, but there are other times when the occasion calls for elegance. The important thing is knowing how to carry yourself and adapt.”
Playing the Long Game
And game day is a perfect time for elegance. Like most major European clubs, Barça has its players dress for the occasion, and it’s stunning to see the best soccer players in the world dressed to the nines. Some think it gives the team an edge. “I like it when the whole team wears suits. It gives the match even more seriousness and importance, which fits the occasion and what we’re playing for,” Pedri said.
As his global profile grows, the Spaniard is squeezing in time to work on polishing his (pretty good) English (a charismatic Adidas video in 2023 shows him speaking various words, from “referee” to “magician”). Pedri knows the pressure is only building, but he’s not afraid. If anything, he’s all in on achieving World Cup glory while also staying sane and low-key.
The World Cup Trophy would be amazing, of course, but “personally, I just hope my family continues doing well and stays healthy for a long time.”
