Since Kylian Mbappé signed for Real Madrid, Josep Pedrerol has shown a delicacy with him. He has added to his last name his status as the "best player in the world", as if it were his second last name.
The days of calling him "traitor," "money-grubber," "liar"... are gone. That was when he rejected Florentino. Even Tomás Roncero went as far as to ban him from stepping foot in Bernabéu, assuring that he would never sign for Real Madrid.
"The Best Player in the World" No Longer Is
Circumstances change, and journalistic criteria in the capital do too. Now Josep Pedrerol and his circle have a different opinion of Kylian Mbappé.
The best player in the world is always a solid candidate to win the Ballon d'Or. However, Josep Pedrerol, who sold Mbappé's arrival as that of the new messiah, has relegated the Frenchman to a secondary position. He doesn't see him as having a chance to fulfill one of his two dreams.
The other is the Champions League. At least that's what he said when he signed for Real Madrid. Although curiously, he won't play in this year's final, and his former team has all the chances to reach it tonight.
Signed for Real Madrid to Win the Champions League and the Ballon d'Or
Mbappé, "the best player in the world" according to Josep Pedrerol, is also not up to Lamine Yamal in the Catalan journalist's opinion. Pedrerol is convinced that "no one is going to take the Ballon d'Or from Lamine Yamal. Because there is no one in the world better than him."
Pedrerol lamented last night the setback experienced by Lamine Yamal and Barça:
"It's frustrating, it's not fair, Lamine Yamal deserved to be in the final. He did it all himself.
It's a shame for Lamine Yamal, for Cubarsí, for the kids who made an enormous effort and won't be in Munich.
But a 3-2 with three and a half minutes left... my friend, you can't lose. You shouldn't play anymore, the killer instinct is missing there."
"They Won't Take the Ballon d'Or from Him"
It seems that what Pedrerol expected was for some Rüdiger to appear ready to bring order with blows. But that's not Barça. Barça plays soccer, not to dish out hits.
Pedrerol, however, has been clear with Lamine Yamal and his chances to be the next Ballon d'Or winner replacing Rodri:
"Surely in the Ballon d'Or what influences is that one reaches the final and wins it. But there is no one right now better than Lamine Yamal.
There is no one in the world better than him. No one. And they won't take the Ballon d'Or from him."
Having said this by Josep Pedrerol, known for his ties and interests with Real Madrid, it sounds like a compliment. It's news on El Chiringuito that they are betting on a player who is not from Real Madrid to win the Ballon d'Or. And moreover, from Barça!