Deco’s First Decision after Leganés – Pedri’s Friend is Leaving: Farewell Barça

**Deco’s First Decision after Leganés – Pedri’s Friend is Leaving: Farewell Barça**

The air was thick with anticipation in the dressing room at the *Estadio Municipal de Butarque*. Barcelona had just secured a crucial 3-1 victory over Leganés, but inside the locker room, the mood was different. It wasn’t the usual euphoria after a hard-fought win. Instead, there was a lingering sense of inevitability, as if something was about to change forever.

Deco, newly appointed as the Sporting Director of FC Barcelona, stood silently in the corner of the room, listening to the murmurs of his players. He was still adjusting to the role, a weighty responsibility after the legendary career he had carved out on the pitch. He had spent years at Barcelona as a player, winning titles and creating memories. But this new role was different. Now, he had to make decisions, shape the future, and guide the club through difficult transitions.

As the players began to change out of their kits and head for the showers, Deco approached the coach, Xavi, who was finishing a few notes in his tactical notebook.

“Xavi,” Deco began, his voice steady yet carrying the weight of something unspoken.

Xavi looked up, his expression tired but focused. “What’s on your mind?”

“There’s a conversation we need to have,” Deco said, his gaze drifting toward the back of the room, where one player in particular stood. Pedri, the young midfield maestro, was laughing with some of his teammates, unaware of the storm that was about to break. But Deco knew—knew that what was happening behind the scenes would change Pedri’s future at the club.

Xavi followed Deco’s line of sight, his expression hardening. “I know,” Xavi replied softly. “It’s not easy.”

Pedri had been more than just a bright young star for Barcelona; he was one of the club’s future pillars, a link to its hope and tradition. But recently, there had been whispers. Whispers that the club’s financial woes were beginning to pull the threads of its squad apart, and Pedri’s best friend, Gavi, was at the center of it all.

Gavi had been offered a lucrative deal by a rival European giant, one that Barcelona could not match given their precarious financial situation. The offer was tempting, and although Gavi had tried to stay loyal to his childhood club, the uncertainty over his future had grown unbearable.

“I spoke with Gavi’s agent this morning,” Deco confessed, his voice quiet. “It’s done. He’s leaving.”

Xavi ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion seeping into his eyes. “I knew it was coming. We’ve all felt it in the air, but… Pedri… He’s going to be devastated.”

Deco nodded. Pedri and Gavi were inseparable on and off the pitch, two young talents whose bond had been integral to Barcelona’s vision of the future. The idea of one of them leaving—especially with such a personal impact on Pedri—was a heavy blow.

“I’ll speak to him,” Xavi said, his voice resolute. “We need to prepare him. It’s never easy to lose a friend, especially when they’re your closest ally in the game.”

Deco took a deep breath, steeling himself for the hard conversation. “Xavi, the decision has to come from us. We need to let Pedri know—now, before he hears it from the press. He’s the face of this team now. We have to protect him.”

The door to the locker room creaked open, and Pedri, with his innocent smile and youthful exuberance, walked over to the two men. He didn’t know it yet, but his life was about to change in ways he could never have imagined.

“Hey, Deco, Xavi,” Pedri greeted them casually. “Great win tonight, huh?”

Deco and Xavi exchanged a glance. It was now or never.

“Pedri,” Deco began, his voice steady but with a tinge of sadness, “we need to talk. About Gavi.”

Pedri’s smile faded slightly. He had heard the rumors, of course. But hearing it directly from Deco made it all too real. “What’s going on with Gavi?” he asked, his voice carrying a mix of confusion and concern.

Xavi stepped forward, his face sympathetic. “Gavi is leaving, Pedri. The club… we can’t hold onto him anymore. His contract with Barcelona won’t be renewed, and he’s agreed to a deal elsewhere.”

Pedri’s face fell. For a moment, the world seemed to stop. He could feel the weight of the words sinking in, and a tight knot formed in his chest.

“But… but why?” Pedri asked, the words barely escaping his lips. “He’s one of us, Xavi. He’s my best friend! We’re supposed to be in this together.”

Deco placed a hand on Pedri’s shoulder, his voice warm but firm. “I know this hurts, Pedri. But sometimes, football isn’t just about what we want. Gavi has his own path to follow now. And as painful as it is, we have to support him, even if it’s from afar.”

Pedri took a deep breath, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. “I don’t know what to say. It’s going to be hard, without him.”

Xavi nodded, understanding the depth of the loss. “It’s never easy to see a friend leave. But you’ve got to remember what you’ve built together. Gavi will always be a part of Barcelona, and he’ll always be your brother.”

Deco stepped back, watching Pedri carefully. The young man’s face was a mixture of disbelief and sorrow, but there was a quiet strength behind his eyes. Deco knew that Pedri would find a way to channel this pain into something greater. It was what Barcelona needed—what *he* needed—to rebuild after the loss of one of their own.

“We’ll get through this, Pedri,” Deco said softly. “And when the dust settles, it’ll be your time to lead. Gavi’s departure doesn’t change the fact that you’re the future of this club.”

Pedri nodded slowly, still digesting the news, but there was a flicker of resolve in his gaze. “I’ll make sure that Gavi’s legacy at Barça lives on,” he said quietly.

As the team began to filter out of the locker room, Deco lingered a moment longer, looking at the young players. The road ahead would be difficult, but this was his first big decision as Sporting Director, and it had to be the right one.

Barcelona would survive. It always did.

But it would never be the same.