Since he was introduced because the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday on the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France, Rodri successful the best particular person honor in world soccer over Actual Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has been a divisive matter within the sport.
Whereas the defensive midfielder was an essential determine in Manchester Metropolis’s English Premier League and Spain’s European Championship win, the Brazil and Actual Madrid winger was touted as the favourite to win the award till Sunday. Even Rodri’s membership supervisor has said that had Vincius received the award given by France soccer, it might have been ‘extra deserved’.
When requested about it by the reporters, Pep Guardiola on Tuesday mentioned, “In fact, if (Vinicius) received, it might have been greater than deserved.”
Explaining his viewpoint, Guardiola cited the occasion of Erling Haaland. The Metropolis striker had been nominated for the award in 2023 after the English champions accomplished a treble however was eclipsed by Lionel Messi, who had received the World Cup with Argentina within the earlier season.
“Erling received the Treble, scored greater than 50 targets. I mentioned to him ‘simply being there, it’s important to be so blissful’. I mentioned the identical to Rodri. If you’re within the first two, three or 4, it’s distinctive. You must be so happy,” Guardiola mentioned.
“Final season, ought to Erling have received? Sure. Ought to Messi have received? Sure. It’s not essential (the winner). It represents that you just and your team-mates have carried out one thing very nice that season,” he added.
Vinicius alongside the remainder of his Madrid teammates and coach Carlo Ancelotti determined to skip the awards ceremony within the French capital. Per experiences swirling from the Spanish capital, the membership made the choice to boycott the occasion after studying that the Brazilian wasn’t successful the boys’s greatest participant award.
Madrid went on to be named because the membership of the 12 months (male class) whereas Carlo Ancelotti was named because the supervisor of the 12 months.
“I congratulate Carlo Ancelotti for successful one of the best supervisor on the earth, nevertheless it was (Gian Piero) Gasperini or Luis de la Fuente. In fact they deserved it, however individuals voted and Carlo additionally deserved it,” Guardiola mentioned.
“This occasion needs to be a pleasure, individuals have to just accept the outcomes. As a membership, we’re so blissful that Rodri is the primary participant on this membership to win this award. It’s like (successful) the Premier League and Champions League. We’re so proud,” he added.