Claude Makelele says La Liga star is world's best midfielder

Claude Makelele has hailed Barcelona's Pedri as the best midfielder in the world.

The 22-year-old was cruelly denied a first UEFA Champions League final after last-minute heroics from Francesco Acerbi in the semi-final, but did win a league and cup double after another excellent season with Barcelona.

When asked who he believes is the current best midfielder in the world, Makelele said: "Pedri. He’s a young player but the way he plays, he’s shows so much leadership and technical ability. We see, when he’s not in the Barcelona team, Barcelona play in a different way. When he is there, you see the difference. Raphinha’s happy when he’s there, also you see Lamine Yamal’s performances when he’s there.

"Pedri is the link from the defenders, to the midfielders, to the strikers. He makes me remember Xavi and Iniesta. He’s amazing and we need to talk about him a lot more."

While Pedri's team-mates Yamal and Raphinha are above him in the list of Ballon d'Or contenders, the Golden Ball will likely be decided on Saturday night.

Should Paris Saint-Germain beat Inter on Saturday, Ousmane Dembele will be installed as the new favourite, but former the PSG captain is reluctant to make any firm Ballon d'Or predictions too soon, and hopes to see more from the forward for France, too.

"It’s so far from the moment," said Makelele. "He needs to win the UEFA Champions League but he also needs to show leadership for the national team [at the UEFA Nations League], scoring goals. If he does that, he’s got a strong possibility for the Ballon d’Or."

If PSG fail to win the UEFA Champions League, current fifth favourite Lautaro Martinez will have strong claims, particularly with a good performance in the final.

So too will Yamal, who may well smash Ronaldo's record as the youngest Ballon d'Or winner. Ronaldo first won the award at the age of 21 having made the switch from Barcelona to Inter in 1997, but Yamal's outstanding season for Barcelona sees him the current favourite for the award.

Liam Williams

• FC Barcelona
• Paris Saint-Germain F.C.
• Claude Makelele
• UEFA Champions League
• European Football
• La Liga
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