Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal star Bukayo Saka 'outperformed' Barcelona's Pedri at the World Cup

By Shamanth Jayaram

Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal star Bukayo Saka completely outperformed Barcelona youngster Pedri at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The 21-year-old Gunners winger was a regular for England. He started all but one game at the World Cup and managed to score three goals – only Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, Olivier Giroud and Julian Alvarez managed more.

Saka did not win the Best Young Player of the Tournament award, but he definitely impressed Ferdinand.

Rio Ferdinand says Arsenal star Bukayo Saka ‘outperformed’ Barcelona’s Pedri at the World Cup

A number of young players were expected to shine before the World Cup started, and many delivered.

Jude Bellingham was one of the standout names alongside Saka, while the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Cody Gakpo, Rafael Leao and Aurelian Tchouameni all impressed as well.

A lot was expected of Spain and Barcelona youngster Pedri too, but the 20-year-old wasn’t quite on the same level as the likes of Saka and Bellingham in Qatar.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand was asked to pick one of Saka and Pedri. The Manchester United legend did not hesitate with his answer.

He said: “Saka. He outperformed Pedri in this World Cup.

“Three goals. You’d have to put him in there. He was arguably our best-attacking player.”

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We agree with Ferdinand here, Saka had a much better World Cup than Pedri.

The Arsenal man came under a bit of criticism early in the campaign for not hitting the ground running – it took him until the sixth Premier League game of the season before he opened his account.

However, Saka has been brilliant since then. He has five goals and six assists to his name for Arsenal so far, while he scored thrice for England in the World Cup as well.

He really is a phenomenal young player, and if he continues to deliver in the coming months, Arsenal could achieve something very special in the Premier League.