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Guardiola lauded City star Rodri on his Ballon d’Or and highlighted the contributions of Spanish football to the sport in recent decades. He also went on to emphasis former Barcelona star Messi’s domination of the award.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola. (Picture Credit: AP)
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola lauded Ballon d’Or 2024 winner Rodri and opined that the midfielder represents what Spanish football has done to the improvement of the sport worldwide.
“Congratulate him and all his family and their friends, it’s incredible news for him and for all of us,” Guardiola said of his player’s achievement.
Rodri has come to be an indispensable part of Guardiola’s Manchester City team, which clinched an unprecedented fourth PL crown on the trot last season, after having won the coveted treble the year before.
Rodri was also crucial to Spain’s Euro 2024 victory as the holding midfielder served as the heartbeat of Luis de la Fuente’s La Roja that claimed their third continental crown.
“Us at Manchester City are so proud of him. We are so proud to share it with him and hopefully, it can give him the energy to recover well for next season.”
Guardiola went on to reflect on the quality of Spanish football in the last decade with nobody surpassing former Barcelona star Lionel Messi. Arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo managed to claim a couple of Ballon d’Or awards himself, but Messi eclipses the Portuguese’s achievements with eight Ballon d’Ors to his name.
“Nobody could beat Messi,” Guardiola said.
“Just Cristiano. Cristiano was a monster, and the father of the monster was Messi,” he added.
“And the two of them have done something incredible for the last 20 years or so,” the former Barcelona boss continued.
“And maybe in that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it as well. And I think Rodri got what Spanish football deserved worldwide,” he explained.
Real Madrid players did not make the trip to Paris despite being named the best men’s club of the year and head coach Carlo Ancelotti being named the best men’s coach of the year.
Guardiola did not take issues with the absence of the Spanish side and expressed that it was normal that players get overlooked for awards despite strong cries for the accolades.
“It’s up to them. If they want to congratulate you, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine. Last season, Erling Haaland won the treble, with more than 50 goals,” Guardiola said.
“I said to him just being there he should be so, so happy and I said the same to Rodri,” he added.
“Last season, Erling should win, yes. Should Messi have won? Yes. It doesn’t matter,” the 53-year-old said.
“Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It’s not an elite group, it’s journalists who vote,” the Spaniard continued.
“In the last decade, Spanish football has made such a difference, won a World Cup, Euros, and (Spanish players) weren’t able to win this award,” added the former Barcelona player and manager,” Guardiola signed off.
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