Barça's future? Why everyone is speaking about Las Palmas star Pedri

On the day that Pedri was born, the only thing people were talking about in Barcelona was Figo's return to Camp Nou as a Real Madrid player. Elena Gomez had become Spain's queen of gymnastics and Bodiroga starred in a Barça basketball team which won the Euroliga for the first time in their history. 

That's how young Pedri is, born just 16 years ago. He signed for Barça for an initial five million euros a little more than a month ago and has become one of the stars of Spain's second division this season. 

"Replacing Pedri is going to be impossible," said Las Palmas coach Pepe Mel. "He's scandalously good and in no time at all he's going to be a star of Spanish football." 

His youthfulness invited patience but his impact has been so big that he's quickly earned his place in Mel's XI. Against Deportivo La Coruña at the weekend (his last game before joining Spain u17s for the World Cup) he set up two goals and his name was on everyone's lips. 

Pedri has even been surprised himself. He learned through the press that he would do preseason with the first team. 

"I was at home and someone sent me a photo on Whatsapp of Marca," he explained to UD Radio. "It said: Pedri, under the orders of Pepe Mel. I did not believe it. That afternoon, the club phoned me and told me I would do preseason with the first team. I know it's not easy to bet on a 16-year-old kid but Mel did." 

So far this season he has scored three goals and set up three more, but it's the sensation he gives off of being one of those rare players with a really special talent which is making him stand out. 

Pedri's reference is Andres Iniesta and his precision passing has drawn comparisons with the former Barça midfielder. 

"Iniesta has always been one of my idols and I would like to be like him, but everything takes time," he added. His professional life contrasts with his day to day setup, where he's still very much a teenager. Pedri lives in the Casa Amarilla, which houses Las Palmas' youngsters. 

His household growing up was always Barça. But things could have changed a year ago when he almost signed for Real Madrid. 

In February, he went to Valdebebas for a trial, but was only able to take part in two of the four scheduled sessions. He was not at his best and he returned to the Canaries for preseason. 

Barça, who have followed him for a while, didn't have any doubts and made their move for the player. Five million could up being 15 million if certain targets are hit. Pedri and Ansu Fati, two players from the Generation Z and the 2022, look set to be the Barça of the future.