The undoubted bright spot in what has been a difficult season for Barcelona has been the appearance of Pedri.
The 18-year-old has proven to be a phenomenal and exciting talent, not only a good player but, fundamentally, a different player, as detailed by Mundo Deportivo.
At least, that was Ronald Koeman’s impression after just one training session with the Canarian boy.
He loved both his work off the ball and on him, with his attitude winning affection within the locker room.
It was not just Pedri. Ansu Fati, Ronald Araujo, Oscar Mingueza and Sergino Dest have added youth and quality to Koeman’s project, offering a ray of hope in a challenging time.
The elephant in the room here is, of course, Riqui Puig. The Catalan played against Juventus and impressed, but is said to divide opinion within the Barça dressing room.
It is said that Puig thanks the higher-ranking professionals and operates with an attitude not unlike that of the recently deceased Arthur Melo, who would come to train in a supercar.
Pedri is far from that. His expressiveness on the field is combined with prudence off it, with the young man apparently determined to focus on his football for the moment.
It is leaving its mark. Lionel Messi looks happier than he has for some time and may seek to mentor the teenager in the same way that Ronaldinho did with him all those years.
