Ballon d'Or 2024: Pep Guardiola 'not here to judge' Real Madrid ...

Published 29/10/2024 at 17:22 GMT

Plenty across the world of football have weighed in on Real Madrid’s decision to boycott this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola the latest to give his thoughts on the matter.

But Guardiola had a more measured response to the situation that had seemingly arisen from Real Madrid finding out their star player, Vinicius Junior, would not be winning the coveted award - with the results leaked before the ceremony in Paris.

Instead, Manchester City’s Rodri won the main prize, the first Premier League player to do so since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. 

And Pep Guardiola was quick to both give his opinion on Real Madrid’s decision and pay tribute to Rodri.

“Nothing to say. If they want to go it's fine. They don't want to go, it's fine as well,” Guardiola said. 

“They want to congratulate, it's fine. They want to do it, it's fine as well. Absolutely, Manchester City we're not here to judge what the other clubs decide what they have to do.”

As well as being in superb form for Manchester City last season as they won the Premier League yet again, Rodri was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2024 having been influential in Spain's success.

That was likely a deciding factor in the voting for the Ballon d’Or, which covered the period of the 2023/2024 season, rather than the calendar year.

“What can I say? First, of course, I congratulate him and all his family and dear friends,” Guardiola added.

“It's incredible news for him and of course for all of us, for all Manchester City. For our fans, we are so proud of him.

“I think it's a first time [a City player has won]. We could never imagine years ago that one player received this prestigious award that we are so delighted to be part of it, to share it with him. 

“And yes, hopefully it can give him this energy to recover well for next season and be with us again.”

Rodri is currently out injured for the rest of the 2024/25 season, having ruptured his ACL against Arsenal last month. 

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