Pedro netted an extra-time winner as Barcelona beat Sevilla 5-4 to win the European Super Cup, but was it his final act before joining Manchester United?
WHAT HAPPENED
Barcelona substitute Pedro scored deep into extra time to secure the European Super Cup with a 5-4 win over Sevilla in a thriller on Tuesday after they surrendered a three-goal lead in Tbilisi.
Barca said before the game that Pedro wanted to leave the club – with Manchester United interested in signing the Spaniard – but the 28-year-old came on to win the trophy, just as he did in 2009, pouncing on a rebound from a Lionel Messi shot.
Messi had himself scored a double with two stunning early free-kicks while Rafinha and Luis Suarez also netted for the Catalans, who led 4-1 with just over half an hour left.
However, their La Liga rivals produced a spirited fight-back and levelled the tie with just 10 minutes to go, forcing the game into extra time.
With Neymar out due to mumps, Barca coach Luis Enrique chose Rafinha ahead of Pedro in attack for the start of the match, but three minutes into extra time the 28-year-old got his chance and made the most of it, sealing the win for the European champions.
SO BARCELONA HAVE SAID HE IS LEAVING, RIGHT?
That's right. Club secretary Robert Fernandez said this prior to events in Tbilisi:
" Pedro has told me that he wants to leave. Right now there is nothing [no offers]."
WHAT DID PEDRO HAVE TO SAY?
He was furious with the comments from Fernandez and made clear in the aftermath of Barcelona's triumph that he has made no decision yet.
" Robert made some unfortunate comments. We spoke only a few words and he doesn't know what I have lived here in this club to speak that way about me. I know that I am and will always be for Barca, people should not doubt that."
"I got the goal but it was down to the work of the team and I am happy with the win. When you know you may leave it is difficult. I was angry about not starting the game but as always I tried to be professional and go out and help. This is a difficult situation for me, of course I wanted to start. I don’t know what will happen, but I will always be a Barca fan. Do I want to leave? The answer is ‘no’, but my situation is difficult. It’s not about money, but about more playing time.”
WHAT PEDRO’S BARCA TEAM-MATES SAID
Javier Mascherano:
" We hope Pedro continues. He’s always there in those moments, he’s been touched by the magic wand."
Lionel Messi:
" The players and the club don’t know what he is going to do. It is his decision, but whatever he does we wish him the best."
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