Pedri acknowledges Spain’s World Cup favourite status after Mexico friendly
Spain’s final preparatory match against Peru highlighted both tactical readiness and external pressure as the squad heads into the World Cup.
Barcelona midfielder Pedri has addressed the weight of expectation surrounding the Spanish national team following their final World Cup friendly, which concluded with a victory over Peru at Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Mexico. The match served as the last preparatory fixture for La Roja before their tournament campaign begins, with Pedri scoring the second goal of the night and receiving significant applause from the local crowd.
In post-match comments, Pedri expressed surprise at the level of affection shown by Mexican supporters, noting that he was unaware of the extent of their enthusiasm for him. He described the experience of hearing the crowd chant his name as a beautiful moment, acknowledging the emotional impact of the reception during what was a high-profile friendly in a foreign venue.
Beyond the individual accolades, the Barcelona player addressed the broader narrative surrounding the squad. Spain is widely considered a candidate to win the upcoming tournament, a label Pedri accepted without rejection. He stated that while the team recognises its quality, the status of favourites is something that must be proven on the pitch rather than assumed.
The victory over Peru was framed by the squad as an opportunity to gauge their form and cohesion ahead of the global stage. Pedri indicated that the team is eager to move past the friendly phase and focus on the competitive matches that follow, viewing the result as a positive step in their preparation.
Spain is scheduled to commence its World Cup group-stage campaign on 15 June against Cape Verde. The upcoming fixture will serve as the first test of the team’s capabilities under the pressure of tournament play, following a friendly that highlighted both their technical quality and the external scrutiny they face.
