When your best mate is playing in a World Cup final, it’s fair to say emotions are running a little higher than usual.
That was certainly the case for Héctor González, a childhood friend of Pedri, who joined hundreds of supporters in Laureano Hernández Square to watch Spain take on Argentina.
Dressed in Pedri’s iconic number 20 shirt, González was quietly confident that the Tenerife midfielder would have a part to play.
“He’ll come on and score”
Despite Pedri not being named in the starting line-up, González wasn’t worried.
In fact, he had been making the same prediction throughout the day.
“I’ve given three interviews today and I’ve said exactly the same thing in all of them,” he said. “He’s going to come on and score.”
It’s the sort of optimism only a close friend, or perhaps a lifelong football supporter, can genuinely believe in.
Proud of his success
Beyond the football, González spoke warmly about seeing someone he grew up with reach the biggest stage in world football.
“I’m delighted that he’s living his dream,” he said. “He and his family are wonderful people and they truly deserve everything that’s happening to them.”
It’s a reminder that, for many people in Tenerife, Pedri isn’t just an international football star. He’s still the lad from the island whose journey has inspired an entire generation of young footballers.
Tenerife firmly behind its favourite son
As Spain chased World Cup glory, supporters across Tenerife gathered in bars, fan zones and town squares to cheer on one of the island’s greatest sporting exports.
Whether Pedri started the match or came off the bench mattered little to those who have followed his career from the beginning.
The pride in seeing a local player perform on football’s biggest stage was obvious, and if Héctor González’s prediction came true, it would have made an unforgettable day even more special.