Pedri vs Bellingham These two young maestros have captured the hearts of fans worldwide, dominating midfield battles and redefining what it means to be a modern footballer. But who is better? Let’s dive in.

Pedri: The Artist

Pedri Gonzalez, Barcelona’s golden boy, is routinely compared with club icons like Xavi and Iniesta, and for good reason. Watching Pedri is like watching poetry in motion. At just 22, his ability to control games, find impossible passing lanes, and glide through defenses is jaw-dropping.

Here’s the thing about Pedri: he doesn’t rely on brute force or athleticism. He’s all about finesse, intelligence, and elegance. His one-touch pass can cut through the defense and create an attacking threat. He picks up the perfect passing option while attacking and also possesses a goal-scoring threat, Pedri’s decision-making feels like that of an elite midfielder.

He has a pass completion rate of 62.92 with 1.95 chances created per 90. But these numbers will not show you the real game of Pedri, He is a genius and controls the tempo of the game from the midfield. You will not always see Pedri’s name on the score sheet but you will see him controlling the game, picking out perfect passes, and opening up the defenses.

Bellingham: The Powerhouse

Jude Bellingham, England’s Golden Boy started his professional career at Birmingham City becoming the youngest player to start for them at just the age of 16 years and 38 days. His amazing display grabbed the attention of the big clubs, he secured a transfer to Borussia Dortmund setting a record transfer for a 17 year old. He spends 3 years with Dortmund winning a DFB Pokal and finishing runners-up in the Bundesliga. At the age of 19, he was leading Dortmund becoming the youngest captain in Bundesliga.

His skills, technique, and abilities kept increasing grabbing attention from the top clubs in the world. For a fee of €103 million, Real Madrid got his signature becoming a Galactico.

Bellingham is a different breed of midfielder. He is a box-to-box midfielder, who is physical, possesses a goal-scoring threat, and thrives in pressure situations. He makes surprise runs in the box and also has finishing skills to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.

Unlike Pedri, who provides creativity, Bellingham carries the ball and starts the attack. He creates chances for his teammates while also having the ability to finish the chances. In the 2023/24 season, he scored an insane 25 goals and provided 14 assists for club and country. He was leading Madrid’s attack line acting as a false 9 when the club didn’t have a number 9.

Jude went on to win the Champions League the same season providing an assist in the final.

Pedri vs Bellingham: How Do You Compare Them?

Now, this is where it gets tricky. Comparing Pedri and Bellingham is like comparing apples to oranges—they’re both midfielders, but their styles are worlds apart.

Playing Style: Pedri is a creative midfielder, he excels without the ball and provides defensive support, In the final third, Pedri is a maestro, supporting teammates and filling any strategic gap with impeccable precision. This is harder than standing out individually.

On the other hand, Carlo Ancelotti has tried using Bellingham in various setups, including under pressure against top-tier teams like Manchester City and Atlético Madrid. However, Bellingham struggled, largely due to a lack of flexibility in tight spaces. He thrives in a more straightforward, vertical approach due to his positional awareness, especially in the final third. He’s excellent at initiating attacking transitions but falls short in the multifaceted role Pedri plays. Real Madrid’s gameplay facilitates his style by drawing defenders to one side, creating free spaces for him.

Impact: Pedri impacts the game like a chess grandmaster, well thought moves and precise passes. Bellingham is a star player who plays more vertically making himself a goal-scoring threat.

Pedri vs Bellingham: Stats

Bellingham’s goal contributions set him apart in the statistics game, but Pedri’s impact is wider than pure statistics, it is in the way he orchestrates his team.

Goals and Assists: Pedri has played 212 games, scoring 28 goals and providing 24 assists. Jude on the other hand has played 250 games scoring 61 goals and providing 50 assists.

To get detailed stats of Pedri and Bellingham view the following image which compares the two players stats for 23/24 season:

Who Fits Modern Football Better?

In this modern high-intensity, physically taxing sport, players– such as Bellingham– are highly valuable. His athleticism, versatility, and ability to score goals make him a perfect fit for teams looking to dominate on multiple fronts. That’s why Real Madrid spent €100 million on him—they knew they were getting a generational talent.

But football isn’t just about physicality. The type of players that teams such as Barcelona continue to use, for example Pedri, who are technically able playmakers with a capacity to escape tight defence and maintain possession when under assault. Pedri’s style is timeless. He may not have Bellingham’s explosive highlights, but his footballing IQ makes him one of a kind.

Verdict: It Depends on What You Value

So, who is better—Pedri or Bellingham? Honestly, it depends on what you’re looking for in a player. If all you want is goals, power, and flexibility, Bellingham’s the guy. If you prefer control, creativity and elegance, Pedri is the right answer.

Ultimately, we’re fortunate to witness both these prodigies in action. Pedri and Bellingham aren’t just the future of football—they’re redefining its present. Instead of “downplaying” their brilliance by making it a competition, let us celebrate the special magic that each one has to give to the field. After all, football is at its most magical at a time when we get to appreciate the talents of Pedri and Bellingham, changing the game all on their own and really spectacularly.

What do you think? Who’s your pick? Let’s keep the debate going.