Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Vinicius Jr. would have been a worthy recipient of the Ballon d’Or but expressed pride in Rodri’s win.
The Manchester City midfielder was named the world’s best player at the annual ceremony in Paris, a year after Erling Haaland narrowly missed out to Lionel Messi.
However, no Real Madrid representatives attended after news broke that Vinicius Jr. had lost to Rodri.
Real Madrid faced criticism for their absence, though Guardiola refrained from joining in.
Instead, he highlighted how gracefully Haaland accepted his loss last year, which he viewed as more contentious than Vinicius Jr.’s.
While Guardiola downplays the significance of individual awards, he commended his players for consistently being part of the conversation.
“Of course, if [VInicius] had won it would be more than well deserved – like last season when Erling was there and didn’t win and congratulated Leo,” he said.
“I said to Erling, let’s try next season to be there again’.
“Erling was fifth this year and that is magnificent.”
Instead, the Man City boss commended the voting process and praised Rodri’s acceptance of his honor
“Nothing to say. If they want to go, fine. If they don’t, fine,” he said.
“We are not here to judge what other clubs decide what they have to do.
“Last season for us Erling won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals and I said to him even being there you have to be happy.
“You have to be so satisfied. Last season Erling should have won, but Messi should have won.
“In the end, it’s not important. You and your teammates have done a really nice season and if people believe another should have won it’s fine.
“Vinicius? Maybe. But it’s 100 journalists all around the world.
“There are different opinions, that’s why football is nice.
“Rodri made an incredible speech speaking especially about Spanish football.
“Spanish football in the last decade made an incredible thing with different trainers and players and were never able to win this award.
“Rodri perfectly represents City but also Spanish football and their influence in world football has been massively important – not just winning trophies but the way they play.”
Read more: Manchester United star Luke Shaw suffers set-back in recovery from calf injury
Manchester United ‘hoping to finalise deal’ for Ruben Amorim before Chelsea tie
Premier League manager looking forward to facing Manchester United manager target
