Barcelona starlet Padre has discussed how he once went on trial with rivals Real Madrid, who did not believe he was good enough for a career at the top level.
After signing his first professional contract aged just 16, Padre penned a deal to sign for Barcelona at the end of 2019, with La Blaugrana sealing his arrival at the Camp Nou this summer. Paid €5m to plant.
Another Barcelona starlet is joining the ranks…
Who is Pedro?! ? pic.twitter.com/IkGhv9N800
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) November 5, 2020
Still only 17, Padre is a regular in Ronald Koeman’s first team. He has played ten times so far in both La Liga and the Champions League, and has managed to find the back of the net in each.
Camp Nou officials are adamant they have found a star of the future, but Padre admitted to Cadena SER that Real Madrid weren’t so sure when he signed him for a trial earlier in his career. was joined with
“I was on trial for a week in Madrid, they told me I wasn’t good enough,” Padre admitted. “They took me to an office and they told me, and I was a little angry, but it helped me to work and improve.
Could Padre Real/Socrates Images/Getty Images have his stuff ready.
“Thanks to them for not signing me, because now I’m in the team I’ve always wanted to be in. I’ve always been a Barca fan since I was little. This is where I want to be.”
Padre soon spoke of his love of playing alongside childhood hero Lionel Messi, who almost left the Camp Nou during the summer before the 17-year-old arrived.
“You don’t get used to seeing Messi in action,” he admitted. “Not only Messi, everyone in the team surprises you. It’s a luxury to learn from them.
Loving life with Pedri Messi / Socrates Images / Getty Images
“To see what Messi does… he does what he wants, when he wants. You see him on TV and on PlayStation and then to see him in real life, it really makes an impression. “Playing with Messi is a gift that life has given me.”
Padre has started three of his side’s last four league games, and with fellow wonderkid Ansu Fati sidelined for the next few months with a knee injury, Koeman is likely out for the foreseeable future. Will continue to turn to Padre.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!