Follow us on Google Discover Pedri earned the biggest applause of the night, and it came from the Valencia fans. The Barcelona midfielder was saluted by the Mestalla crowd after inspiring his side to a 5-0 win.
Barcelona cruised to another statement victory, their third five-goal game and fourth straight win.
They also moved three points clear after Real Madrid slipped up against Real Betis.
But the moment of the afternoon belonged to Pedri.
Photo by Omar Arnau/Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesPedri’s ovation and classy response after 5-0 win
The 23-year-old produced a display that won over the home support, with Valencia fans applauding and chanting for him despite their own team’s struggles.
“The fans at Mestalla applauded me despite Valencia’s difficult situation? I have to thank everyone,” Pedri told reporters after the match.
“When the fans of the opposing team celebrate you, it is always something special, and I wish them all the best for the season.”
It is a classy line, and it came from a player at the very top of his game.
Pedri added Barcelona’s fourth goal with 11 minutes remaining, latching onto a pass from Dani Olmo and sweeping the ball into the bottom corner. Olmo then turned provider again for Lamine Yamal, who completed the rout.
Yamal struck twice on the night, Fermin Lopez scored once and set up two more, and Raphinha was on target again, matching a record held by Lionel Messi with his sixth goal in four matches.
Rodri made his first start after his marquee arrival, and Gabriel Jesus made his Barcelona debut off the bench.
Valencia could badly use the warmth Pedri showed them. After four matches, the six-time Spanish champions sit bottom of the table with just one point and one goal.
Barcelona, in contrast, have 12 points from four games and look unstoppable.
They open their Champions League campaign against Feyenoord on September 9 before facing Levante, with Raphinha chasing history in a fifth consecutive scoring match.
For Pedri, the night was about the ovation, the goals and the grace. Valencia fans will not forget the player who saluted them in their hour of need.
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