Pep Guardiola's Statement On Messi-Ronaldo Rivalry: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made the headlines for the wrong reasons, as his latest controversial statement on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has gone viral.
As reported by CBS Sports Golazo, during a press conference, the Spaniard addressed many topics in the aftermath of Rodri's historic Ballon d'Or 2024 win. During the event, he laid praise on Lionel Messi, and further went on to call him 'Cristiano Ronaldo's father in football'.
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"Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta could not win because he (Messi) was a monster, nobody could beat him. Just Cristiano (Ronaldo); Cristiano was a monster and the father of the monster is Messi. And both have done something incredible in the last 15, 20 years. Maybe in that moment Xavi and Iniesta deserved it as well," said Pep Guardiola.
'We Don't Judge Anyone': Pep Guardiola On Real Madrid's Ballon D'Or 2024 Boycott
The 3-time UEFA Champions League winning manager appreciated Rodri's Ballon d'Or rival Vinicius Jr, as the Real Madrid player gave the midfielder a neck-to-neck battle for the elusive prize.
However, the decision was not taken well by the Real Madrid faithful, as their president Florentino Perez along with the entire club boycotted the event, with them refusing to travel tor Paris after learning the fact that Vinicius Jr will not be awarded Men's Ballon d'Or 2024.
"If they want to go, it's fine, if they don't want to go, it's also fine. We at Manchester City are not here to judge what the other clubs do." said Guardiola.
"Last season Erling [Haaland] won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals and I said to him just being there you have to be so, so happy and satisfied. He was there and he congratulated Leo [Messi] on winning it. Should Erling have won last season? Yes. But it's not important. I think Rodri went there as well and at the time I said 'if you are in the first two, three or four, it's exceptional'. That means you have done an incredible year and you have to be so, so satisfied," he added.
The 6-time Premier League winning manager applauded Rodri's impact on the club and his prominent rise within the side, and went on to congratulate him on his Ballon d'Or 2024 win.
"What can I say? Firstly, congratulations to him and all his family and dear friends. It's incredible news for him and for all of us at Manchester City and our fans. We are so proud of him," said the fellow Spaniard.
"You could never imagine years ago that one player [from City] would receive this prestigious award and we are so delighted to share, to be a part of it with him," added the legendary manager.