Barca

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Pedro Rodríguez Ledesma could not have made a better start to his Barcelona career in his most extravagant dreams.

Pedro, in case you didn't already know it, was the 22-year-old almost unknown player who came onto the pitch for the culmination of the 2009 Champions' League Final victory over Manchester United, replacing the tired and injured Andrés Iniesta.

Not only that, but, at the beginning of the '09/'10 season, Pedro not only came onto the pitch as substitute for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the European Super Cup Final against Shakhtar Donetsk; he also scored the winning goal of the game in the 115th minute.

A native of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and a player originally for the San Isidro club from that island, Pedro continues the Barcelona tradition of bringing through young players as well as buying established superstars of the world game.

It is this philosophy that has helped Guardiola establish such a fervent team spirit and sense of togetherness amongst his men. None of the Barça players considers himself to be a 'superstar'; they are all part of a team.

Pedro, who is able to play in any of the forward positions, is predominantly left-footed and, during his three seasons of regular reserve football, became well— known for his powerful shooting and his fearless attitude on the pitch.

He is a non—stop chaser and his constant harrying is often very disconcerting for opposition defenders.

Making his first two appearances for the Barcelona La Liga team during the '07/'08 season, Pedro developed sufficiently to make a total of 14 more appearances last season, including the final of the Copa del Rey. This, and his appearance in the Champions League Final, serves to illustrate the confidence the coaching staff must have in this inexperienced player.

Although clearly not expected to play in all the first team games this season, Pedro has already demonstrated his value to the squad and justified the new contract he signed in the summer. With a goal and an 'assist' in the final of the Spanish Super Cup to help secure victory against Athletic Bilbao, he began the season in style.

His progress has been further emphasised by a goal against Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League at the Camp Nou – a left foot strike.

Pedro followed this up in October by scoring his first League goal, the only goal of the game, against Almería – this time with his right foot.

B y the end of October, the young striker had already appeared in 7 league games and 2 Champions League ties, so is now firmly established as a member of the Barcelona first team squad.