Earlier today, FC Barcelona posted an image of star midfielder Pedri on social media with the 23-year-old resuming on-pitch training at the Ciutat Esportiva.
“Pedri is following a specific training program during his first few days of pre-season,” the caption read.
It was perhaps to reassure fans who had not seen any images of him since last Wednesday, when the final World Cup winners joined training.
The Blaugrana also posted a video of the midfielder already working on the pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva to allay any fears of their midfield maestro dealing with any fitness issues.
Starting at 100%
For Pedri, as for manager Hansi Flick Flick, starting the season at full fitness is essential.
According to AS, the objective is to recover the Canary Islander’s best version, which he reached during the 2024/25 season when he emerged as a Ballon d’Or candidate.
Last season, he suffered several physical problems that, among other things, prevented him from reaching the World Cup at 100%.
His commitment to Barça sometimes even pushed him beyond his physical limits. Flick himself admitted that they had taken risks with him by playing him for 90 minutes in the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal against Atletico Madrid.
As such, the 23-year-old Spaniard knows that he needs to take another step physically.
Working on a specialised individual training plan. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
A program designed by Kugel
That is why he has put himself in the hands of Benjamin Kugel, the new first-team fitness coach at Barça, who has designed a training program to help him return to full physical condition.
Flick and Pedri are aware that the season is long and that the ideal scenario is to reach peak fitness in the spring, when the major trophies are decided.
And that iss what Pedri is working toward, starting with an individual training program after returning from the World Cup break, instead of jumping right into group training like the rest of his Spain teammates.
The Canary Islander also have another source of motivation with the imminent arrival of his Spain teammate Rodri from Manchester City.
With the national-team captain alongside Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, and the prodigious Marc Bernal, Barça could boast one of the world’s best midfield units, and an entirely Spanish one.