Fresh from helping Spain become world champions, Pedri González may now be one of the biggest names in world football, but away from the bright lights of Barcelona and international stadiums, there’s one place that has never stopped feeling like home.
That place is Tegueste, a peaceful town in the north east of Tenerife where the Barcelona midfielder spent his childhood surrounded by family, vineyards and Canarian traditions.
With a population of around 11,000, Tegueste offers a very different pace of life from the football stadiums where Pedri now performs. Nestled between La Laguna and the Anaga Rural Park, it’s a town where agriculture, history and community remain at the heart of everyday life.
Proud of His Canarian Roots
Although his career has taken him first to UD Las Palmas and then to FC Barcelona, Pedri has never hidden the pride he feels in representing the Canary Islands.
In a previous interview, he said:
“I’m proud to represent the Canarian way of life. In the islands you’ll always find people who love life and smile. Everything is different from the rest of Spain.”
That connection with Tenerife has remained strong throughout his career, with Tegueste still representing his family home and the place where his football journey began.
A Town Surrounded by Vineyards
Tegueste has long been known as one of Tenerife’s wine-producing municipalities.
The town is spread across the fertile valleys of Tegueste and El Socorro, where vineyards and farmland dominate the landscape. Agriculture continues to play an important role in local life, influencing the area’s gastronomy, wineries and traditional celebrations.
Its historic centre, rural surroundings and growing reputation for wine tourism have made it one of the island’s most attractive inland destinations for visitors looking to experience a different side of Tenerife.
The Family Bar That Shaped His Childhood
To understand Pedri’s story, you also have to understand Tasca Fernando.
The family-run bar, opened almost 60 years ago by his grandparents Fernando and Candelaria, became a well-known meeting place for local residents.
Although it has now closed, it was here that Pedri spent much of his childhood, surrounded by home-cooked food, family conversations and football matches on the television.
He’s often spoken about the importance of his family, saying:
“Family is the most important thing. They gave me life and have always been by my side.”
The bar also explains why Barcelona became part of his life so early.
His grandfather helped found the Tegueste Barcelona Supporters’ Club, and the club’s colours were never far away.
“When I was born they put a Barcelona shirt on me. My grandfather and my father were Barça supporters through and through,” Pedri once recalled.
Years later, that same boy would go on to become one of Barcelona’s key players before lifting the World Cup with Spain.
More Than Just a Footballer’s Hometown
Visitors quickly discover that Tegueste offers much more than its famous resident.
Its historic centre is home to landmarks including the Church of San Marcos, the former Town Hall, Casa del Prebendado Pacheco, Casa de los Tacoronte and Finca Los Zamorano, an estate featuring vineyards, orchards and a traditional wine press.
The municipality also preserves its traditions through annual celebrations such as the Romería de San Marcos, La Librea and the Dance of the Flowers, events that continue to bring the local community together year after year.
Discovering Tenerife’s Ancient Past
One of Tegueste’s most important historical sites lies just outside the town.
The Barranco Agua de Dios is recognised as one of Tenerife’s most significant Guanche archaeological areas, containing almost 100 archaeological sites, including ancient dwellings and burial caves.
The Cabildo de Tenerife and the Canary Islands Government have committed €250,000 to improve the site, with plans for an interpretation centre, new walking routes and greater public access.
Archaeological excavations carried out by the University of La Laguna have uncovered pottery, animal remains, beads, milling stones and ancient tools, offering valuable insights into life on Tenerife before the Spanish conquest.
A Place That Still Feels Like Home
For football supporters, Tegueste will always be known as the hometown of Pedri, one of the world’s finest midfielders.
But beyond the football headlines, it’s a town of vineyards, history, traditional festivals and spectacular rural scenery.
It’s easy to see why, no matter how successful his career becomes, Pedri continues to speak so fondly of the place where it all began.