Guardiola: Rodri Perfectly Represents Man City, Spanish Football

On Tuesday, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola responded to Rodri's victory with the 2024 Ballon d'Or.

The Spain midfielder was one of the Manchester City and Spain key players to win the English Premier League and 2024 Euro. He was also named the player of the tournament.

Guardiola said: "If they [Real Madrid] want to go, it's fine. If they don't, it's fine as well,"  adding: "If they want to congratulate, it's fine. If they don't want to congratulate, it's fine as well.

"If you are in the first two or three [places] it's exceptional. It means you have done an incredible year and you have to be so satisfied.

"Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It's [voted by] journalists, you know, not an elite group of people who decide. It's [journalists] all around the world that votes, not just one country. There are different opinions, and that's what makes football nice, no?" 

Rodri is the first Manchester City player to win the Ballon d'Or and the first Premier League club player since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

"I think Rodri perfectly represents City, but also Spanish football and their influence in world football," added Guardiola.

"In the last 10, 15 years it has been massively important - not just winning trophies but the way they play.

"Maybe in that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it as well. I think maybe Rodri gets what Spanish football deserves."