I will miss Messi so much, says former Barca player Pedro

Spain’s Pedro Rodríguez completed a move to Chelsea earlier this summer, however, he has hailed Lionel Messi, saying he will miss his former Barcelona teammate.

The Spain international left Barca in August, after spending eleven years at the club, joining the Blues for a fee of £21 million.

And having spent the majority of his football career with Messi, Pedro says that he will notice the absence of the four-time Ballon d’Or winner.

"I will miss Messi so much,” said Pedro, as quoted by Goal.com.

“He's a great teammate, a great guy. We've lived a lot of things together, a lot of matches, a lot of goals. He knows me well.

“It felt weird, seeing myself with Chelsea’s shirt, and imagining playing and not finding Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets or Andres Iniesta on the pitch.”

“Fortunately I continue to enjoy them in the national team,” he added.

Pedro reiterated that Barcelona did not want to sell him, after prolonged negotiations with both Chelsea and Manchester United, however, he says that a conversation with Jose Mourinho persuaded him to leave.

"I think Barcelona didn't want to sell me,” he said.

"It all started with a phone call from Cesc Fàbregas. Then Mourinho calls me and I had to make a decision. He made me feel important, he gave me confidence."

With Chelsea participating in the Champions League this season, Pedro may once again share the field with Messi, however, this time their interests will differ. Pedro maintains that he will never celebrate against his former club.

"I don't want even think about the chance of play at Camp Nou, I will never celebrate a goal against Barcelona," he said.