Pep Guardiola says no resentment towards Real Madrid over Ballon d’Or snub
By Andy Hampson, PA
Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City harbour no ill-feeling towards Real Madrid over their Ballon d’Or boycott as the sides prepare to renew their rivalry.
Madrid’s representatives failed to attend the ceremony to crown the world’s best player last year after apparently hearing in advance that City’s Rodri had won it ahead of their own prime candidate Vinicius Junior.
The two clubs have become regular foes at the business end of the Champions League in recent seasons and they will meet again in this year’s play-off round. The first leg takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
“Absolutely not,” said City manager Guardiola when asked at his pre-match press conference if any resentment lingered.
“I was happy for Rodri but Vinicius made an extraordinary year as well. He could deserve it, like in the past when (Lionel) Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo) were fighting for it. So, the subject is over.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the matter at his pre-match press conference on Monday evening, and remained supportive of the club’s decision to boycott.
“I don’t think it was the wrong decision,” the Italian said. “We thought that Vini was the winner of the Ballon d’Or that year.
“It doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri, because he is a fantastic player. I think we thought that Rodri deserved to win the year before.”
Guardiola is well aware Vinicius is one of Madrid’s most dangerous players and admits City will have their work cut out to contain him and their other attacking weapons Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
He said: “I think it’s impossible for 90 minutes, 180 minutes or 200 minutes – it depends on extra time – to control these four players. Everybody knows they are exceptional.
“How they combine, the runners, their ability one against one, how they keep the ball – we know that it is going to happen. We accept it and have to reduce their involvement as much as possible.
“At the same time we are going to try to impose our game and be smart, especially in the first leg. We have to play to get a good result for Bernabeu.”
It is the fifth time City have been paired with Real in a knockout tie during Guardiola’s tenure and the fourth year in succession.
City have prevailed twice, most memorably in the semi-finals en route to their eventual victory in the competition two years ago, with Real winning the other two, including in last year’s quarter-finals.
Guardiola thinks the clubs have built up a great rivalry, although he does not consider it a classic yet.
He said: “In terms of the last decade, yes maybe, because it’s not normal to play the same rivals all the time.
“But, in terms of the history of the Champions League, at the end, we cannot compare, to be honest.
“Against Madrid or Bayern Munich, or Barcelona, or Milan – this type of elite group – we have not been in from the history.”
City have found themselves in the play-off round after an underwhelming league phase in which they limped into 22nd place.
Guardiola admits the team have been inconsistent but remains hopeful they have the firepower to beat Madrid.
He said: “We deserve to be where we are. The draw is the draw and we accept the challenge.
“We’ve not been consistent when what’s defined the team over the last decade has been we are an incredible machine every three days, otherwise we cannot win six Premier Leagues in seven years or win the incredible trophies we have won.
“Then I would feel, yes, the team is consistent, we can do it. Now it’s like, I don’t know.
“But, at the same time, always in this type of draw and competition I’m so optimistic and calm. We’ll see what happens.
“I will not deny the trust with the players that gave us the incredible decade to play at the high standards I know we’re capable of.”