Pablo Barrios: an absolutely top-level player in Europe

If Barrios played for another team, says Rubén Uría, the show would be calling for him to be signed. He ranks him third in Spain behind Rodri and Pedri. The panel also notes that Atlético could not even afford him today.

Rubén Uría proposes an exercise: forget that the team in stripes is Atlético and watch Pablo Barrios's performance as if he played for another side. On El Club de Uría, he says, they would be calling for him to be signed. But he is an Atlético academy product. Another panellist points out that, right now, Atlético would not have the money to sign a player like him.

Alberto del Pozo compares Barrios with the young holding midfielders other big clubs have signed and considers him better and with more football in him, while also highlighting his personality. Uría takes a stand: he knows Fabián and others had a great World Cup, but for him Rodri and Pedri are the two best, and Spain's third-best midfielder is Pablo Barrios.

Del Pozo raises the stakes: the real challenge is whether he can surpass Pedri. He believes Barrios has better qualities in some areas and a more powerful physique, although he acknowledges that Pedri is a genius on the ball and that the national team's style may work against Barrios. He concludes that Barrios has yet to reach his ceiling.