Fernando Alonso isn’t just a two-time Formula One world champion – he’s also a lifelong Real Madrid supporter.

Originally from Oviedo, Spain, the racing icon has been frequently seen enjoying matches at Santiago Bernabéu and has even been honored as an honorary member of the club. Therefore, when he suggested that Los Blancos acquire a player from their arch-rivals Barcelona, it naturally captured media attention.

In a conversation with DAZN before the Spanish Grand Prix, Alonso was posed with a cheeky yet intriguing question: “If you could transfer one Barcelona player to Real Madrid, who would it be?”

With a grin, Alonso responded with a clever and sly choice: “I would choose Pedri for Madrid, to weaken Barça. I play like that on the PlayStation… and then keep him on the bench.”

The comment, delivered with a tongue-in-cheek grin, caught many off guard. With Barcelona having just pipped Madrid to La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup this season, some might have expected Alonso to choose stars like Lamine Yamal or Raphinha, who combined for a staggering 102 goal contributions in 2025/26.

But Pedri — who quietly returned to his best this year — was central to Barça’s midfield dominance, dictating the tempo and controlling matches in a way that evoked legends like Xavi and Iniesta. While he may not be the flashiest name on the team sheet, Pedri is undoubtedly one of their most vital.

So, while Alonso’s answer may have started as a joke, it reflects a deeper truth: to hurt Barcelona, you take away their heartbeat.