Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola highlighted two players he believes should have won the Ballon d’Or but didn’t.
On Monday evening, City’s own Rodri was awarded the 2024 Ballon d’Or following an outstanding 2023/24 season with both his club and national team.
The 28-year-old was instrumental in City’s Premier League victory and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph…Continue Reading
Speaking after winning the trophy, Rodri said: “I try to be the best version of myself every day. I try to be a leader and learn every day from the best. I am a very calm person until I get upset. I am just a normal guy, you don’t have to be crazy. I would like to thank God.
“Manchester City, thank you so much, you are so special, I know I wouldn’t have made this without you. For me, this is the best club in the world. I would like to thank my national team and Luis [de la Fuente] for trusting me.”
On Tuesday, City manager Guardiola spoke about Ballon d’Or and picked out Xavi and Andres Iniesta as two players who deserved to win Ballon d’Or.
He said: “Cristiano [Ronaldo] was a monster, and the father of the monster is [Lionel] Messi. And both have done something incredible in the last 15, 20 years. And maybe in that moment, Xavi and Iniesta deserved the #BallonDor as well.
“You know that the era of Cristiano and Messi has been unbelievable, how they shared it, well deserved it, and they were on another level. And now it’s another era, and everyone can win the #BallonDor, and at the end the opinion is free.”
When asked about Vinicius Junior missing out on Ballon d’Or, Guardiola said: “If @vinijr would have won #BallonDor, it would have been more than well deserved! Like last season with @ErlingHaaland and he didn’t win! And he was there, he was happy, and congratulate Leo [Messi] and OK, let’s try to do next season if we can be there again!
“Carlo Ancelotti, I congratulate deeply for the big success is being named #BallonDor best manager in the world…”
