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E-mail Xinhua, January 31, 2025
FC Barcelona announced on Thursday that 22-year-old Spain international midfielder Pedri has signed a contract extension until 2030.
The news means Barcelona ensures the continuity of one of its key players until the end of the decade, when Pedri will be approaching his 28th birthday.
Aurelien Tchouameni (R) of Real Madrid vies with Pedri of Barcelona during a La Liga football match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, Oct. 16, 2022. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Pedri is the third Barcelona player to extend his contract with the club in the past fortnight, with central defender Ronald Araujo lengthening his stay until 2031, while left-back Gerard Martin signed on until 2028.
Pedri joined Barcelona as a 17-year-old from Las Palmas in 2020 and very quickly became a fixture in the first team, making 52 appearances in his first campaign.
With an eye for goal, work-rate and ability to find a defense-splitting pass, Pedri also quickly established himself in the Spain national team, and played in the UEFA European Championships in 2021, where Spain reached the semifinals. He also formed part of the squad for that year's Tokyo Olympic Games, where Spain took the silver medal.
However, playing over 70 competitive games and the lack of a proper rest were likely factors in Pedri suffering a series of injuries the following season, with the midfielder making just 12 league appearances in the 2021-22 campaign.
Those issues look to be behind him, with 31 games in all competitions for Barca so far this season, while he made 12 appearances for Spain in 2024.
