Transfer News: Pedro's 'playing minutes' could drive him out of Barcelona
Barcelona forward Pedro became the unlikely hero for the Spanish side in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday in Tbilisi. Pedro, who came off the bench, scored the winning-goal in extra-time to give Barca a 5-4 victory over Sevilla. However, the Spanish forward’s frustration for not starting the Super Cup overshadowed his heroics.
The 28-year-old Pedro expressed disappointment about not starting for Barcelona in the Super Cup, saying that he has uncertainty about playing for Barca after coach Luis Enrique decided not to “count” on him, reports BBC. He added that the issues around his future with the club was not about money, but about his playing time on the field.
“The coach has decided not to count on me. I don't know, I don't know if I will continue here," Pedro said.
Pedro has been recently linked to a move at Old Trafford, but the absence of Brazilian football star Neymar delayed the Spanish international from joining United. Barcelona’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez claimed Pedro wants to leave Camp Nou, adding that the thriller against Sevilla could be the Spanish footballer’s last game with the club. However, Pedro downplayed Fernandez’s claims, saying he does not want to leave Barcelona and also admitted that his situation about leaving the team is complicated.
Pedro, who has scored 99 goals in 319 games for Barcelona, won five La Liga titles with the club. He has won the Champions League three times and played a part in Spain’s success in the World Cup and European Championship.
Meanwhile, former Barcelona star Hristo Stoichkov warned Pedro of joining Louis Van Gaal in United, Goal reported. The retired Bulgarian footballer, currently a football commentator for Univision Deportes, accused Van Gaal of having poor treatment over Barcelona players.
Stoichkov, who blames the Dutchman for driving him out of Barcelona in 1998, added that Van Gaal destroyed Barca and is now destroying United.
"I would never be under the orders of Louis van Gaal. He destroyed Barca and is destroying Manchester United,” Stoichkov said.
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