Former Real Madrid midfielder Bernd Schuster has identified Barcelona star Pedri as one of three players he believes could win the prestigious 2025 Ballon d'Or award.
In a recent interview with Mundo Deportivo, the 65-year-old German placed the Spanish international alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe as the leading candidates for football's highest individual honor.
Schuster highlighted Pedri's exceptional performances throughout the recently concluded season as the primary reason for his inclusion in the shortlist.
"The whole world will be watching [the FIFA Club World Cup], all the top teams are there, and for certain players already in the conversation [for the Ballon d'Or race] this is a key moment to seal the deal," Schuster stated.
"I would put [Ousmane] Dembele, [Kylian] Mbappe, and Pedri in the mix. Pedri's chances [to win the Ballon d'Or] depend on what happens in the tournament [Club World Cup]," he added.
The former midfielder expressed his personal preference for Pedri to claim the award, saying, "[Pedri] has had a spectacular season and I'd love to see him win it [Ballon d'Or]. But if not, then either Mbappe or Dembele could take it."
Exceptional Seasons for All Three Contenders
All three players – Pedri, Dembele, and Mbappe – have enjoyed remarkable 2024/25 seasons with their respective clubs, making the Ballon d'Or race particularly competitive this year.
The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup could prove decisive in determining the eventual winner, with strong performances in the tournament potentially tipping the scales in favor of one candidate over the others.
Schuster's comments come amid growing speculation about this year's award, with other football personalities also weighing in on potential winners in recent weeks.
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