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Rodri has returned to his Ballon d'Or-winning best for Spain, yet Pedri’s recent struggles are emerging as a growing concern ahead of their FIFA World Cup semi-final clash with France.

When Spain’s line-up for last week’s World Cup quarter-final against Belgium was announced about an hour before kick-off, Pedri’s absence from the starting eleven caught everyone’s attention. Many pundits and fans assumed the Barcelona midfielder was nursing a minor injury – a reflection of how highly he is regarded within Spanish football circles.

However, there was no injury involved. The 23-year-old, widely considered one of the most complete midfielders in the world, was simply named among the substitutes for tactical reasons.

That decision would have been unthinkable at the beginning of the tournament, but there’s now a genuine possibility that Pedri might again start from the bench when La Roja face France in Texas on Tuesday.

Before the competition began, the midfield duo of Rodri and Pedri was seen as one of Spain’s greatest strengths, a combination that could lead them to add a world title to their European Championship triumph in Germany two years ago. Yet while Rodri has rediscovered his world-class form during Spain’s impressive run to the semi-finals in North America, Pedri’s performances have been heavily discussed back home.

In the opening draw against Cape Verde, the Las Palmas-born midfielder created five chances – more than any other player on the field – yet he was still criticised for not doing enough to drive Spain to victory, showing just how high expectations are for him.

Although Cape Verde’s later results have made that goalless draw look less disappointing, Pedri’s lack of goals and assists has become more noticeable as the tournament has gone on. Comparisons with Jude Bellingham have also intensified. While both are very different players and Pedri has been deployed deeper, Real Madrid fans have been quick to highlight that their star is shining on the world stage while Barcelona’s playmaker seems unable to leave his mark.

Such comparisons may be simplistic, but in modern football, tangible impact matters most – and while Bellingham is contributing goals and assists, Pedri is doing neither.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s decision to drop Pedri surprised many, especially after the midfielder had started five straight matches at this World Cup and nine in a row stretching back to Qatar. Yet De la Fuente was quick to emphasise the depth of talent in Spain’s squad, particularly in midfield.

He pointed out that Mikel Merino had more reason to be frustrated after again being left on the bench despite scoring a late winner against Portugal in the previous round – only to come on and repeat the feat in the 2-1 win over Belgium.

“It’s unfair that Mikel doesn’t start, but it would also be unfair to leave someone else out,” De la Fuente told reporters. “Only 11 can play, and they understand their roles perfectly. When they step onto the pitch, they know exactly what to do – that’s why it’s such a pleasure to manage them.”

He added, “The team comes first. It doesn’t matter who starts. Everyone is important, even those who haven’t played.”

There’s no indication that Pedri reacted poorly to his demotion. “He’s taken it well,” goalkeeper Unai Simon said after the Belgium match. “We all want to play, but there isn’t space for everyone. Look at David (Raya) and Joan (Garcia) – they’re world-class goalkeepers. Everyone wants to play, but everyone wants to win the World Cup, and when it’s your turn to accept a certain role, you do it.”

As for Pedri’s role against France, it remains to be seen. He didn’t impress as a substitute against Belgium, misplacing a key pass during a late counterattack. Meanwhile, Fabian Ruiz, who scored Spain’s opener in Los Angeles and has just won two consecutive Champions League titles with Paris Saint-Germain, has a strong case to keep his place. Simon even referred to Ruiz as “an immense talent.”

On his day, Pedri remains a joy to watch – few players recover possession and distribute it with such precision. But his performances at this World Cup have not yet reached his usual level. De la Fuente has suggested that there may be two versions of Pedri: the one that plays for Barcelona and the one that plays for Spain.

“Pedri is a class player, one of the best in the world, if not the best,” the 65-year-old coach said. “But Fabian is also one of the best. Pedri can’t play the same way he does for Barca because our system is different. We have similarities, but not the same players. With Rodri in midfield, his partner must play differently. Pedri can feature as a 6, 8, or 10, but our decisions are always carefully analysed and tailored to the opponent.”

That raises the key question: who will De la Fuente choose to start against France?

There’s a scenario where both Fabian Ruiz and Pedri start alongside Rodri, as they did against Cape Verde. Spain’s midfield is arguably stronger than France’s, and fielding all three could help La Roja dominate possession – their best, and perhaps only, way to limit Didier Deschamps’ dangerous attacking quartet.

However, starting both might mean dropping Dani Olmo, who has impressed in the No.10 role during the knockout stages, even if his finishing remains inconsistent. De la Fuente considers Pedri a “special talent” who is at his most effective near the opposition box, where his quick touches and clever movements can cause damage. He has also praised Pedri for “always maintaining a very good rhythm, whether he’s in top form or not.”

Still, the manager seems inclined to bring Pedri on later, replacing Fabian when opponents are tiring. “Pedri could benefit from Fabian’s work,” De la Fuente said after the Belgium match. “It’s teamwork.”

Spain’s collective spirit remains their greatest strength. While it feels unusual to see Pedri’s place under debate, it makes sense for De la Fuente to rotate his star-studded squad wisely.

As the coach summed up, “France have already shown extraordinary quality, but so have we. The match will be open and will require fresh, energetic players – and for us to be the best version of ourselves.”

Whether that version includes the Barcelona-style Pedri, however, is still uncertain.