Barcelona midfield maestro set to achieve major milestone against Espanyol | OneFootball

Just 22 years old, Barcelona midfield maestro Pedri has the world at his feet. Undoubtedly one of the best players in the game currently, the Spaniard has been a major driving force behind the team’s success this season.

Having left his physical problems in the rearview mirror, Pedri has excelled under Hansi Flick even seamlessly transitioning to a new role without missing a step.

200th game incoming

Now, as Barcelona get set to take on RCD Espanyol on Thursday night, in a game that can confirm their La Liga title coronation, Pedri also finds himself on the brink of a significant achievement.

Indeed, the midfielder from the Canary Islands will make his 200th appearance for Barcelona when they step onto the pitch in Cornella for the derby tomorrow.

Pedri will reach 200 matches for Barcelona at 22 years, 5 months, and 18 days ahead of former captain and club legend Lionel Messi, who achieved that mark at 22 years, 8 months, and 30 days.

Pedri’s journey at Barcelona

Nearing a special landmark. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Signed from Las Palmas in 2019, the midfielder spent a season on loan at his boyhood club before arriving at Barça in 2020, when he immediately became a part of the first-team setup under Ronald Koeman despite being only 17 years old.

Pedri featured in 52 matches in his debut season for Barcelona – more than any player in the squad. However, physical problems limited his influence somewhat in the subsequent campaigns.

Indeed, injuries hindered his 2021/2022 season under Xavi Hernandez, limiting him to 22 matches. Things improved for the midfielder in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024, as he played 35 and 34 matches respectively.

However, it has been under Flick in the 2024/2025 season that Pedri has shone the brightest, appearing in 56 of the 57 matches so far, missing only one game due to illness.

Across his 199 appearances so far for Barcelona, Pedri has won five trophies – 1 La Liga, 2 Copa del Rey, 2 Spanish Super Cups.

Tomorrow, when he makes his 200th appearance for the club against Espanyol, that trophy tally should rise to six as the Blaugrana are poised to lift the league title.