The Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola, stated this Tuesday that he is “very proud” of the Madrid midfielder Rodrigo Hernández, for having won the Ballon d’Or 2024, but he did not go into evaluating Real Madrid’s sit-in at the awards ceremony held last night in Paris.
In a press conference, the coach of the Premier League champion congratulated his player, the second man born in Spain to obtain that award, 64 years after Luis Suárez.
“First of all, of course, congratulations to him and all his family and friends. It’s incredible news for him and, of course, for all of us, everyone at City and our fans. We are very proud of him. “It’s the first time,” he commented.
He also admitted that the squad is “delighted to be part of it and share it with him” and noted that “I hope it can give him energy to recover well (from an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus contracted on the fifth day of the season). English League in a match with Arsenal) so that next season he will be with us again.”
Guardiola, on the other hand, did not want to go into evaluating the aforementioned sit-in by Real Madrid at the awards ceremony in France: “Nothing to say. If they want to come, fine, if they don’t want to come, fine too. We are not here to judge. The other clubs must decide what to do,” he said.
More context: ‘Rodri’ wins the Ballon d’Or and consecrates a historic year for Spanish football
Guardiola regrets that City does not play with ‘the best footballer in the world’
Regarding the new Ballon d’Or, the City coach praised the speech given last night by Rodri, who attended the gala without knowing he was the winner, and in which he spoke, among other things, about his family and Spanish football.
“Rodri gave an incredible speech, he talked about family and City but especially about Spanish football in the last decade. And I agree with him,” said the former Barcelona coach.
He stressed that “there are incredible players and coaches, winning the World Cup and the European Championship. “He has never won this before and Rodri is proud and proud of Spanish football.”
Guardiola also added that the squad is aware that because of Rodri’s injury, City will not be able to “play with the best footballer in the world.”
With information from EFE
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