Miralem Pjanic: Reflecting on career, predicting Pedri's success at Barcelona

By SABC Sport
21st November 2023

Miralem Pjanic, the 33-year-old Bosnian midfielder, is nearing the end of his playing career with Sharjah in the UAE Pro League.

In a recent appearance on the Aperibiza podcast, Pjanic revisited pivotal moments in his career and spoke highly of Barcelona's Pedri, foreseeing a "great career at BarÃ§a" for the talented young player.

During the 2020-21 season, Pjanic donned the iconic Blaugrana jersey, sharing the pitch with the emerging Canarian midfielder who made his debut at just 17. Pjanic expressed his admiration for Pedri, stating, "A player I really like is Pedri, he's a great talent. I've known him since my time at BarÃ§a. He's humble, always striving to improve. I believe he will have a great career at BarÃ§a."

Despite not finding consistent success at Camp Nou, Pjanic holds no regrets about joining Barcelona, emphasizing that "signing with Barca was a step forward in my career. In life, you have to seek motivations; it's crucial because being in a comfort zone is one thing, but it's not beneficial."

Reflecting on his career's pinnacle moment, Pjanic singled out a remarkable goal he scored during the 2009-10 season with Olympique de Lyon: "I scored it against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. I was 19, and in the Madrid line-up were Cristiano Ronaldo, KakÃ¡, Raul, Van der Vaart... We knocked them out in the Champions League Round of 16. Unbelievable."

Looking ahead, Pjanic confirmed his continued association with football, though he didn't specify his role: "You might see me as a coach, executive, it depends... Football is something I love, understand, and am passionate about. I want to impart everything I've experienced to the younger generation."

As Pjanic enters the twilight of his playing career in the vibrant football landscape of the UAE, his journey serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of the beautiful game, where experiences with Barcelona and Lyon have enriched his footballing legacy. Beyond the pitch, Pjanic is poised to contribute to the sport's future, leaving an indelible mark on the next generation of football enthusiasts.