Pedri and Ferran Torres Reveal Flick's Eye-Watering Fine for Matchday Lateness on El Hormiguero
Pedri and Ferran Torres appeared on El Hormiguero and dropped some brilliant behind-the-scenes Barça details, including Hansi Flick's hefty matchday fine.
Two of Barcelona’s brightest stars took a break from the title race this week to sit down with Pablo Motos on El Hormiguero — and the pair didn’t half deliver the goods.
The fine that’ll make your eyes water
The headline moment? Hansi Flick’s punishment system for players who rock up late on matchday. Pedri revealed the German boss has moved away from dropping lads from the squad and now hits them where it really hurts — the wallet. When Motos started guessing figures — 3,000, 10,000, 15,000… all the way up to 40,000 euros — the two players gave the game away with their reaction. “No vamos a dar la cifra exacta” was Ferran’s diplomatic response, but the body language said it all. We’re talking about a serious wedge for a lie-in.
The logic behind it, according to the players, is dead simple: if you’re late on matchday, your head’s not in it. Flick’s approach is apparently about discipline in the basics — punctuality, tidying up after yourself in the dressing room, the lot. Ferran reckoned that when you get that discipline right again, you genuinely level up as a player.
Sharks, vinegar, and dressing room wind-ups
Off the pitch stuff was equally entertaining. Pedri and Ferran’s dynamic is brilliant — proper mates but clearly winding each other up constantly.
- Pedri called Ferran a “vinagre” (sour face) when he loses, someone who’ll actually have a dig at you if things don’t go his way
- Ferran admitted he loves dishing out pranks but absolutely cannot take one back — his words, not ours
- Pedri got called the teacher’s pet, with Ferran joking that every manager becomes a sort of father figure to the Canarian before they’ve even seen him train
La Liga, Mbappé, and not thinking about the World Cup
With Barça only a point clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, you’d think the pressure would be immense — but both players were pretty relaxed about it. Ferran’s take was essentially: there are so many games across so many competitions that you barely have time to think about which one you’re in. Confidence is high at the Camp Nou, clearly.
On the World Cup this summer, both were adamant they don’t play with the handbrake on to protect themselves. When you’re in a match, that stuff goes out the window.
And the spicy one — which Real Madrid player would they sign for Barça? Both answered almost simultaneously: Mbappé. Can’t say that’s a massive shock, can you.
Pedri’s injury update
Pedri, who returned from injury in the win over Levante at the weekend, sounded in decent nick. No pain, no concerns, and clearly buzzing to be back. Ferran was generous in acknowledging how much Barça miss him when he’s out — when your top midfielder’s crocked, it shows on the pitch, and everyone at the club knows it.
He also made a really honest point about injury versus bad form: being injured is worse, full stop. You’re on a different schedule to your teammates, you can’t do the thing you love, and it’s isolating. At least if you’re playing badly, you can improve.