According to reports, at the Laureus World Sports Awards held on Monday, Real Madrid was selected as the best club in the world in 2025. However, Thiago Alcantara, the former midfielder of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, believes that the best player in the world right now does not play for Real Madrid.

Thiago, 34, who played for Barcelona until 2013, told Spanish radio Cadena SER: “Pedri is an incredible player who is not only the best midfielder in the world but, in my opinion, the best player in the world right now.”

Pedri, 22, joined Barcelona from Las Palmas in 2019 for €23 million and has since played in 193 matches for the team, starting 158 times. He won the Copa del Rey in 2021 and La Liga in 2023, and this season, Barcelona remains in contention for three titles: the Champions League, Copa del Rey, and La Liga.

Pedri has played in 50 matches this season, totaling 3,919 minutes, and has also made nine appearances for the national team.

Thiago, who played for Bayern Munich for seven years, is not the only one praising Pedri. Speaking about Barcelona’s project under Hansi Flick, he said: “We are very proud of Hansi Flick and the players. I expected this performance from the players and the project. Ultimately, it was about giving them the necessary stability to play like this. When you give young players this special quality, such results are achieved.”