Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Real Madrid not having a representative at the Ballon d’Or ceremony: “It’s up to them. If they want to congratulate, that’s fine. If not, that’s fine as well. At Manchester City, we are not here to judge other clubs on what they decide they have to do.

“Last season for example, Erling [Haaland] won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals. I said to him ‘just being there, you have to be so happy’. I said the same to Rodri. If you are in the first two, three or four, it’s exceptional. Last season, Erling should win, yes. Should Messi have won? Yes. It doesn’t matter.

“You and your teammates have done something amazing. Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It’s not an elite group, it’s journalists who vote. Rodri made an incredible speech, he spoke about family and Spanish football. In the last decade, Spanish football has made such a difference, won a World Cup, Euros, and weren’t able to win this award.

“Their importance in the last 10 or 15 years has been so important. I remember once we nominated three players from La Masia, Xavi and Iniesta couldn’t beat Messi, he was a monster. Only Ronaldo could.”