Pep Guardiola: 'Ronaldo is a monster, Messi is the monster's father'

In an interview before the League Cup match against Tottenham, half a day after Rodri's victory at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, Pep Guardiola affirmed that Spanish football has achieved extraordinary results over the past 15 years. Recalling 2010, he said that Xavi and Iniesta also deserved a Ballon d'Or.

However, the Man City coach admitted that only one player could beat Messi at that time: "Xavi and Iniesta cannot win the award, because there is a monster there, which is Messi. No one can beat Messi. Only Ronaldo can do that, because he is also a monster. And the father of that monster is Messi."

Lionel Messi is the owner of 8 Ballons d'Or, with the first in 2009, the most recent in 2023. Now playing in MLS, Messi will most likely never win the Ballon d'Or again. However, 8 Ballons d'Or is still a record in world football.

Ronaldo is behind Messi with 5 Ballon d'Or, in the period (2008 to 2017). Messi and Ronaldo dominated world football from 2008 to 2017, winning all 10 Ballon d'Or, divided equally between the two. After 2017, Messi won 3 more Ballon d'Or, while Ronaldo has not been in the top 3 from 2021 to present.

Under Pep Guardiola, Messi won all four Ballons d'Or from 2009 to 2012. Yesterday, another of Pep's students won this prestigious title: Rodri. The Spanish midfielder beat Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham to become the best player in the world.

Rodri is Pep's second student to win the Golden Ball.

Pep Guardiola said that Messi and Ronaldo no longer playing in Europe opened up more opportunities for other players, including Rodri. Pep admitted that he had made significant contributions to his favorite student's achievements: "Of course I have to take credit. Without me, Rodri would not have won the Ballon d'Or.

Football is a team sport, not an individual sport. Rodri probably knows that he needs this team to win awards. I do not deny his contribution to Man City and the Spanish national team. They are important and the fans see this clearly."

Finally, the Spanish coach encouraged the players who did not win the Golden Ball. He said that the top 5 players have the right to be proud of themselves and should not be too burdened by the final result.

"Erling Haaland knew he wouldn't win the Ballon d'Or, but he still came to the ceremony and congratulated Messi. I hope this award is seen as an opportunity for players to meet and share joy. Who wins or loses is not too important," said Pep.

Thanh Loc

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/pep-guardiola-ronaldo-nhu-quai-vat-messi-la-bo-quai-vat-ar904690.html