Guardiola: If Vinicius wins the Ballon d'Or, it will be well deserved

The Manchester City coach appeared in a press conference before the Tottenham match tomorrow in the English League Cup, commenting on Rodri winning the Golden Ball and Vinicius losing.

Guardiola said. During the press conference: “Rodri winning the Ballon d’Or? Congratulations to Rodri. It is amazing news for him and of course for all of us, and the Manchester City fans, we are very proud of him.”

He continued: “I hope that this award gives him the energy to recover well for the next season to be with us again. Rodri got what Spanish football deserves.”

When asked about his eligibility Vinicius, in winning the championship, said: “Perhaps, it is not a group of elites, but rather journalists who vote and decide what to do. It is all over the world, and not just the voice of one country. It is all over the world, different opinions.”

He pointed out: “We saw Spanish football in the past decade achieving incredible things, winning the World Cup and the European Championship, but it was never able to win the Ballon d’Or.”

Regarding Real Madrid’s boycott of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, he commented: “There is nothing to say. They wanted to go, that’s okay, but they didn’t. That’s okay too. They want to congratulate, that’s okay, they didn’t.” They do, it's okay, of course, as Manchester City, we are not here to judge what the clubs decide and what they should do."

He continued: "Last year, Haaland should have won the award. Ballon d'Or, so is Messi. Yes, this is not important in the end. What is important is that you represent something in the world of football because you personally, with your colleagues, with your friends, did something really good."

He concluded: “If Vinicius had won the Ballon d’Or, it would have been as deserving as last season with Haaland, but Haaland did not win it and was present there. He was happy, and Leo congratulated Messi, and said: “Okay, let’s try to do that next season then.” We were able to be there again.”