Barcelona star Pedri is finding his stride by running more than anyone else

TL;DR

Pedri has emerged as a key player for FC Barcelona, averaging over 13 kilometers per game this La Liga season. His intense running has made him one of Europe's most active midfielders, despite the challenges of injuries within the team.

Key points

Pedri has run 330 kilometers across 24 La Liga matches this season.
He averaged over 13 kilometers per game, peaking at 14 kilometers in a recent match.
Injuries to key players have increased Pedri's workload and leadership role.

PedriFC BarcelonaReal Club Celta de VigoParis Saint-Germain

Pedri plays during the match between FC Barcelona and Real Club Celta de Vigo, corresponding to week 33 of LaLiga EA Sports, at the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, on April 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images Pedri is running. A lot. While many associate the Tenerife native with his “pause” and visionary final ball, one of his biggest assets at FC Barcelona is sheer grit and hard work. He has clocked 330 kilometers across 24 La Liga matches this season. To put that in perspective, he is averaging over 13 kilometers per game. During the recent Wednesday victory against Celta Vigo, he even pushed that number to 14 kms. That has put Pedri among Europe’s most active workhorses. While Paris Saint-Germain star Vitinha leads in absolute totals due to more minutes played, Pedri’s average intensity is currently unrivaled among elite midfielders. According to data, Pedri is outworking the likes of Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who averages 11.39 kms, and ’s , at 11.33 kms. Even ’s Aurélien Tchouameni, known for his stamina, is trailing by nearly three kilometers per match. With injuries to and , the 23-year-old . But this high-octane role comes with a price. There were moments during the Celta match where exhaustion clearly hampered his decision-making, leading to uncharacteristic giveaways. “We did not know how to press correctly and we ran a lot,” after being named MVP of the match which the . He was critical of the team’s tactical positioning, noting that they “wasted meters for nothing” because they weren’t set up well on the pitch. According to the midfielder, “that must be adjusted and improved for upcoming matches.” Recently, during the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atlético Madrid.. The good news is that help is coming. De Jong, who himself is one of the league’s top distance runners with a 12.6-kilometer average, is nearing a return to full fitness, having already played minutes after an injury layoff. De Jong’s presence is expected to liberate Pedri, shifting the defensive workload and allowing the Canary Islander to focus on breaking lines rather than just covering them. That win over Celta, watched by over 59,000 fans, maintained a nine-point cushion over Real Madrid with only eighteen points left to play for. But the night wasn’t without its flaws. The injury to Lamine Yamal hung over the celebrations. After scoring his penalty, the teenager collapsed. The prognosis – “Hopefully it is as little as possible,” Pedri said, adding that Lamine “has to recover well” and that the team needs to support him through the process.

Q&A

How many kilometers does Pedri run on average per game this season?

Pedri is averaging over 13 kilometers per game this season in La Liga.

What impact do injuries to teammates have on Pedri's performance?

Injuries to teammates like Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong have forced Pedri to take on more responsibility, leading to increased fatigue and decision-making challenges.

Who are the other top distance runners in La Liga compared to Pedri?

Compared to Pedri's average, Newcastle's Sandro Tonali averages 11.39 kilometers, Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi averages 11.33 kilometers, and Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouameni trails by nearly three kilometers.