Former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos has named Barcelona’s Pedri as the best midfielder in the world, saying he is more important to the team than Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, or Raphinha.

Despite Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha combining for 86 goals across all competitions this season to keep Barça in the running for a treble, Kroos believes Pedri is the true driving force behind the club’s success under Hansi Flick.

Kroos, who retired last summer, emphasized that Pedri’s influence in midfield makes him the most valuable player in the team.

"For me, a player like Pedri is more important than Lamine Yamal, Raphinha or Lewandowski," the ex-Germany international said on his podcast, Einfach mal Luppen.

"They may decide the results of matches, but to do that, Pedri is currently the best player in the world in his position.

"He's a player you will miss when he's not playing, whoever you are playing against. He doesn't just score goals or provide assists, he offers solutions."

Pedri, 22, seems to have overcome the injury issues that troubled him in past seasons. He has featured in 54 matches this campaign, scoring six goals and providing seven assists.

Barcelona will rely on him once again on Tuesday when they face Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League semifinal, following last week's 3-3 draw at the Olympic Stadium.

"I have been watching what Pedri is doing this season," Kroos added. "In the Champions League, he's better than his opponents in every game.

"In LaLiga, the difference [between him and his opponents] is only more extreme. If you lose a player like him, you will notice. He's the best.

"He's one of the few midfielders in his position that has the ability to beat dribble past players when there is no space. A player like Pedri helps you in every area of the game."

After Inter, Barça face a potentially title deciding Clásico against Kroos' former side Madrid on Sunday. The Catalans go into the side with a four point lead at the top of LaLiga.

Kroos remembers how difficult it was to stop Pedri when he was still playing in the fixture.

"I experienced it myself, once especially," he continued. "He demolished us [Madrid] at home. Once or twice I thought I could get to him, because he doesn't look so quick, but he dribbles so well and I couldn't even stop him with a foul.

"He's not like Messi, whose speed of movement you see. Pedri doesn't seem so quick, but he really is."