Pedro Rodriguez reveals how Pep Guardiola changed Barcelona and names his greatest career moment

Pedro Rodriguez reveals how Pep Guardiola changed Barcelona and names his greatest career moment Former Barcelona forward Pedro Rodriguez has opened up about the moment Pep Guardiola changed his career, reflecting on his journey from an ambitious youngster to one of the most decorated players in the club’s history. At 39, Pedro has brought an extraordinary playing career to a close after a trophy-laden stint.  His achievements also include major honours with Spain, including the World Cup and European Championship. Despite those successes, Pedro believes his career took a decisive turn when Guardiola gave him an opportunity to prove himself after the club’s reserve-team structure faced uncertainty.  In an interview with SPORT , he reflected on his Barcelona journey.  The former forward also discussed his reputation, his first-team debut under Frank Rijkaard and the qualities that made Guardiola such a special manager. Pedro reveals how Guardiola gave him his Barcelona breakthrough Pedro arrived in Barcelona from Tenerife with ambition but little certainty about how far his football career would take him.  When Guardiola was watching him at Barcelona C in 2006, the forward was still trying to establish himself within the club’s youth system. Pedro Rodriguez has looked back at his Barcelona debut. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) Asked who he was at that stage, Pedro explained, “The same as he is now: a young lad full of enthusiasm and excitement, who came to this city to try and prove he could make a career in football, brimming with enthusiasm and incredible ambition. “But, as I always say, your expectations – what you think you can contribute and what you envisage for the future – have nothing to do with reality.” The midfielder-turned-forward acknowledged that joining Barcelona meant entering an environment filled with talented youngsters who were already attracting attention. “I arrived full of enthusiasm and a great desire to learn, because I was coming from a very small team in Tenerife, where I’d played with almost all my childhood friends, to play alongside youth team players who were already well-known, such as Cesc Fàbregas and Piqué. “They were already making a name for themselves, whilst I’d simply come from a very small club. “In the end, I was lucky enough to have some absolutely brilliant coaches in the youth system, who later gave me the chance to make my debut and remain there, in the first team, to this very day.” The turning point came when Barcelona’s C team was due to be disbanded, leaving players competing for limited places in the B team.  Guardiola called Pedro into his office and made it clear that an opportunity was available, but the forward would have to earn his place. “I remember it perfectly. All of us players were on tenterhooks at the time, because we knew that the C team was going to be disbanded and that it would be very difficult to fit all 25 players into the B team. “The doors were firmly shut to us, and Guardiola called me into his office to have a chat and told me that I was one of those who would be given a chance and that it was up to me.” Pedro recalled the message that followed, which influenced his approach to the challenge ahead. “If you come to work knowing that this is your last chance and that you could be left out, just like the rest of your teammates, it’s up to you to do well and work hard. “In my mind, I knew it was my last chance and I tried to make the most of it. It was an ultimatum, and I got to train under a legend like Pep Guardiola. Everything I learnt from him stood me in good stead.” Pedro explains how Guardiola is different from other managers Pedro has nothing but praise for Pep Guardiola. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images) Pedro described that period as the season that changed his life.  He knew he needed to work harder than his competitors if he wanted to remain at Barcelona and eventually reach the senior team. “The one that changed it, yes, without a doubt. For all the reasons I’ve mentioned, I knew I had to prove myself three times as much as the other players. “I had it firmly in my mind: if I wanted to keep progressing at Barça, I had to make a radical change; I had to work much harder than the rest and stand out far more. It was like starting from scratch.” Asked what separates Guardiola from other coaches, Pedro pointed to the Manchester City manager’s attention to detail, tactical understanding and ability to adapt during matches. “Guardiola stands out from the rest because of his perfectionism, the way he sees the game, the solutions he offers when things aren’t going well, the flow of the match, how he adapts to the opposition, what’s happening. “Many managers don’t reach that level. There are surely many other top-class managers I haven’t been lucky enough to work with, such as Ancelotti or Klopp, who are the best in the world. “But what sets Pep apart from the rest is his perfectionism, his view of the game, and the solutions he provides.” Pedro also addressed Xavi’s suggestion that he has been one of the most underrated footballers of recent years.  The former Barcelona forward did not entirely agree, although he acknowledged that his public profile changed as his career progressed. “I don’t think so. I have achieved many successes during the first years of my career, being in the best teams and on the front line, but maybe later, because of my personality or because I don’t do so many press conferences or give importance to the networks, I disappear from the spotlight and feel a bit in no man’s land.” Pedro recalls his Barcelona debut and 2011 UCL final Pedro’s first-team breakthrough came under Frank Rijkaard, when supporters at Camp Nou began chanting his name.  He remembered the reception fondly, despite the amusement surrounding his original nickname, ‘Pedrito’. Asked whether he detected any irony in the crowd’s reaction, he said: Pedro was part of the legendary Barcelona squad. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) “For me, it was spectacular. Imagine being a little boy…” He then explained how the supporters embraced him during his early appearances. “As you said, people found it amusing and I went down well. The name, a very small, skinny lad. “Every time I touched the ball, there were cries of ‘olé’, people singing – just like with many other players making their debut – and simply because I’d come through the academy, whatever that might mean, people took it in their stride. I was well-liked.” At the time, Pedro could hardly imagine becoming a regular alongside Barcelona’s established superstars. “At no point did I suspect or even imagine that I’d end up in the first team, alongside Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Henry, Giuly, Messi… alongside everyone else in the first team.  “It was unthinkable that I’d find a place amongst them. It was absolutely spectacular. I simply saw that day as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  “To be honest, I thought: ‘Well, I’ve made it this far and I’ve enjoyed it’, with my family and friends.” He also remembered the encouragement he received from senior teammates, including Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Xavi. “I remember players like Andrés, Puyi and Xavi telling me: ‘You’re Pedro Rodríguez now.  “You’re not here to replace anyone; you’ve made a name for yourself and your career starts from here.’ It was incredible.” Asked to choose the standout moment of his career, Pedro selected Barcelona’s 2011 Champions League final victory over Manchester United at Wembley. He opened the scoring before his team went on to lift the trophy. “There have been so many. But if I had to choose one, it would be the final at Wembley in 2011. I started the match, opened the scoring, we won the title, celebrating with my family, with the fans… “But there have been trebles and sextets too. It’s very difficult to pick a single moment in my career. “It’s been a journey of hard work, with many ups and downs, but as a match I’d pick that one, and as a moment, when we won the sextet. It was an incredible, unique experience,” he concluded.