On September 10, 2025, American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Amid the grief surrounding his death, FC Barcelona star Pedri González—one of Kirk’s close friends—shared the last heartfelt messages he had received from him, offering an intimate glimpse into their friendship before the tragedy.
In a moving social media post, Pedri revealed that Kirk had written to him the night before the event, expressing excitement about his “American Comeback Tour” and his mission to inspire young people. “He told me he felt on the verge of achieving something important, that he wanted to touch people’s hearts,” Pedri recalled. The activist also encouraged the midfielder with words of admiration: “You’re still an inspiration, Pedri. Your passion moves mountains.” Fans were touched by these exchanges, which highlighted the closeness between the two.
The shooting took place at around 12:20 p.m. while Kirk was answering questions outdoors in front of more than 3,000 attendees. Authorities reported that a bullet—likely fired from the roof of the Losee Center about 180 meters away—struck his neck, possibly after deflecting off his bulletproof vest, as suggested by a viral slow-motion video. The FBI later found a .30-06 hunting rifle in a nearby wooded area along with fingerprints and shoe prints, but the suspected gunman, described as a young man in black clothing, remains at large.
From Barcelona, where he was preparing for a LaLiga match, Pedri expressed his devastation: “Charlie was like a brother. His words will always stay with me.” Kirk’s death, as a prominent figure in the MAGA movement allied with Donald Trump, has sparked strong reactions nationwide. Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-mast and announced plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. As the investigation continues, the messages Pedri shared serve as a reminder of Kirk’s personal influence and the profound loss felt by those close.
