After winning the World Cup with Spain, Barcelona and Spain midfielder Pedri travelled to China for a well-earned holiday — but his trip quickly became much more than a private getaway.
The 23-year-old, who celebrated Spain’s World Cup triumph in front of nearly two million people at Madrid’s Cibeles Square, chose China for his first holiday as a world champion. Accompanied by his girlfriend Alejandra Dorta and her family, Pedri visited some of the country’s most iconic destinations, including the Great Wall of China, Beijing’s Temple of Heaven and the city of Suzhou.
The trip also highlighted the midfielder’s growing commercial appeal in one of the world’s most important markets.
Pedri was welcomed as a global celebrity throughout his journey. His image appeared on giant advertising screens in central Beijing, while he also attended promotional events in traditional Chinese clothing, gave interviews and attracted significant attention from local fans and media.
Pedri takes centre stage in front of 32,000 fans
The most significant moment of the trip came in Suzhou, where Pedri was invited as the guest of honour for the so-called “Taihu Lake derby” between Suzhou and Wuxi.
The Barcelona midfielder performed the ceremonial kick-off in front of almost 32,000 spectators, wearing a shirt that combined the colours of both teams.
According to local media, Pedri also greeted the crowd in the local dialect, saying: “Hello, Suzhou! Come on, Suzhou!” before the match, which Wuxi won 1-0.
The game was part of the Su Chao, the Super League of China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Originally established as an amateur competition, the league has gradually developed into a major cultural phenomenon, attracting growing crowds and generating significant economic activity across the region.
More than nine million views in 24 hours
The excitement surrounding Pedri extended far beyond the stadium.
Content related to his trip surpassed nine million views on Chinese social media platforms in just over 24 hours. His posts on Weibo, one of China’s most popular social media platforms, also generated significant engagement.
One of the most popular moments saw Pedri dressed in traditional Chinese clothing while trying cuju, an ancient ball game that originated more than 2,300 years ago and is widely considered a predecessor to modern football.
Photos of Pedri and his girlfriend wearing traditional outfits further fuelled the enthusiasm of Chinese fans.
What began as a holiday following a season that culminated in a World Cup triumph has therefore become another step in Pedri’s development as a global sports icon.
The Barcelona midfielder is no longer recognised solely as one of the finest players of his generation. His growing popularity in China shows how a major international sporting success can accelerate a footballer’s commercial reach far beyond the European market.