Pedri Breaks Cristiano Ronaldo's Record
Pedri made history during Spain's Euro 2024 match against Georgia, surpassing a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish midfielder Pedri has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo and set a new record for the most major tournament appearances by any European player aged 21 or under.
At the age of 21 years and 218 days, Pedri made his 13th appearance in the EURO or World Cup during Spain's Round of 16 match against Georgia.
It is also the fourth match that the Barcelona midfielder has started in the EURO knockout stages while aged 21 or under, the most of any player of this age.
That ensured he beat Ronaldo's record of 12 tournament appearances for Portugal before turning 22, which occurred in EURO 2004 and the 2006 World Cup.
Pedri made his international debut at the age of 18 in March 2021 and enjoyed a breakout tournament at the postponed EURO 2020 when Spain reached the semifinals before suffering the heartbreak of losing in the penalty shootout to eventual champions Italy.
He won the UEFA Young Player of the Tournament award for that competition, having completed more passes in the opponent's half (317) than any other player.
After playing all six of Spain's matches in EURO 2020, he was also present at the 2022 World Cup, ranking 12th among all players in open-play passes (426) despite La Roja being eliminated in the Round of 16, having played only four matches.
However, Pedri's new record could be threatened by English talisman Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham matched Pedri with 12 appearances on Sunday when England faced Slovakia in the Round of 16, having already made 11 EURO/World Cup appearances to surpass the totals recorded by Spain's Cesc Fabregas, Belgium's Enzo Scifo, and Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger before turning 22.
With Bellingham not turning 22 until next June, he could still take the record if Spain suffer a quick exit and England goes all the way in this year's competition.