'Nobody deserves the Ballon d'Or more' - Barcelona star Gavi picks surprise team-mate as the best player in the world despite Lamine Yamal and Raphinha battling for the Golden Ball

Barcelona comfortably strolled past Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, winning the tie 4-1 on aggregate. A brace from Raphinha and an absolute stunner from Lamine Yamal put the tie beyond any doubt after Barcelona won the first leg by a narrow 1-0 scoreline. However, Pedri was the real star of the show on the night, winning the MVP award.

Pedri is arguably enjoying his best season to date personally. The 22-year-old appears to have put his injury struggles behind him, overcoming the persistent issues that marked the first three-and-a-half years of his Barcelona career. Around almost the same time last year, a report appeared in the Spanish media which claimed that the Catalans no longer considered Pedri an indispensable figure in the squad.

However, it has been quite a turnaround for Pedri under new head coach Hansi Flick, with the midfielder producing one world-class display after another. He earned Player of the Match honours in both legs against Benfica as they progressed to the quarters, further solidifying Barcelona's position as one of the favourites to win this year's Champions League. His standout performances have led Gavi to praise the Barca No.8, even backing him to lift the Ballon d'Or.

“Nobody deserves the Ballon D’Or more than Pedri, everyone knows what kind of a player he is," Gavi told reporters on Tuesday (h/t Football Espana). Pedri's name has rarely been in the Ballond'Or discussion, with his Barca team-mates Yamal and Raphinha seen as genuine contenders alongside the likes of Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

Pedri officially renewed his contract with Barcelona in January, with the Spain star set to stay at the club until 2030. Having helped Barca seal a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, Pedri will be expected to play a starring role when Barcelona take on title rivals Atletico Madrid this Sunday.