(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Manchester City Manager, Pep Guardiola has said that Rodri was a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or.
Rodri, 28 received the trophy after helping City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title and also starring in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
Pep Guardiola insisted Tuesday that Rodri was a worthy winner of the Ballon d’Or, insisting no “elite group” had decided the Manchester City midfielder should be crowned the world’s best footballer.
Real Madrid’s Liga and Champions League double winner Vinicius Junior had been the favourite to collect the trophy.
But hours before Monday’s awards ceremony in Paris, the Spanish giants announced its delegation would not attend because of what it perceived as a snub of Vinicius.
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Rodri, 28 received the trophy after helping City win a fourth consecutive Premier League title and also starring in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
City manager Guardiola, speaking Tuesday at a press conference before his side’s League Cup tie against Tottenham, was delighted by Rodri’s success.
“What can I say?,” said the Spaniard. “First, to congratulate him and all his family and their friends, it’s incredible news for him and for all of us.”
Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September, ruling him out for the season.
The men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or winners are chosen from the shortlist by an international jury of 100 specialist journalists.
The organisers, the Amaury group which owns the L’Equipe sports daily and France Football magazine, insisted that “no player or club” knew in advance who had won.
AFP
