It was one of the all-time great performances in a major international tournament yet by the end of the match, the player was reduced to tears.
Spain’s Euro 2020 semi-final against Italy was arguably the game of the tournament; a high-intensity match played at a frantic pace between two of the standout teams of the summer.
Barcelona ’s teenage midfielder Pedri was undoubtedly the Man of the Match, despite it being not quite enough for Luis Enrique’s side - who fell just short in the penalty shootout.
The 18-year-old produced an outrageous performance in which he did not concede the ball once in the 90 minutes - successfully completing all 55 of his attempted passes, many of which led to direct chances.
The teenager’s talent is undeniable and goes far beyond measurement solely by statistics; his low centre of gravity, ability to find space, twist away from opponents and speed of thought are joyous to watch.
Pedri usually plays in a free role, which allows him to roam the pitch as he pleases; occupying central areas and operate between the lines - dropping deep to pick up the ball from the defence, to drift wide when the central areas became crowded and pushing up the pitch as an eight.
Due to his slight frame, flexibility and dribbling skills, he began his career as a winger before morphing into somewhat of a hybrid player - most comparable to former Barca midfield maestro Andres Iniesta.
Less than a year before, Pedri was playing for Spanish second division side Las Palmas having enjoyed a breakthrough season as a talented young midfielder.
Barcelona had an agreement in place to sign the teenage prodigy with high hopes for his future, but nobody knew just how good - not least Barca.
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He quickly became a permanent fixture in the first-team alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong, clocking up 52 first-team appearances across the season.
If that was not enough, the teenager also featured 20 times for various Spanish national sides in the past calendar year - four games for the Under-21s, 11 for the senior side and then in all six matches for the Under-23s at the Olympic Games.
Not only were his 72 appearances more than any other player at a senior level in the past year, but his sterling showing against Italy at Wembley was one of nine matches which went into extra-time - six of which came this summer across the Euros and Olympics.
In total he accumulated over 5,000 minutes of action, before factoring in travelling across Europe for the Euros and then adjusting to Japanese time for the Olympics - which began two weeks later.
He played in Spain’s Olympics final on Saturday and eight days later, he will be involved in Barcelona’s first La Liga match of the season against Real Sociedad.
This is despite Barca boss Ronald Koeman offering the teenager a holiday to afford him the chance to rest and recuperate between the two seasons.
The teenager’s workload across the past year has been extraordinary and is almost certain to impact on his long-term trajectory if it is not managed with greater care.
The risk of player burnout and fatigue is very real and whilst that may have greater relevance to players further in their careers, the lack of rest can accumulate with adverse effects.
Pedri’s chances of sustaining muscular injuries will increase if he continues to be played so often - with sufficient rest and recovery a fundamental element in sport science and physiotherapy.
The Spanish teenager is truly a generational talent; his ability on the ball, his speed of thought and seamless transition onto football’s biggest stage have been remarkable.
As Lionel Messi exits Barca, they now possess an extraordinarily talented player who could potentially define the team and its ambitions over the next decade, if not more.
Club officials must be wary not too overuse Pedri, to ease his playing burden. If they do not, the risk of muscular injuries and accumulated fatigues could rob them of the very best of a truly special player.
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