Guardiola plays down Ballon d’Or rift with Madrid

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City have drawn a line under the Ballon d’Or controversy with Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League showdown.

The Spanish giants boycotted the ceremony in Paris in October in protest at City midfielder Rodri winning the award ahead of Vinícius Júnior.

The two teams face each other in the first leg of their Champions League play-off at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. And ahead of the game, Guardiola insisted there is no ill feeling between the clubs.

“Happy for Rodri,” Guardiola said, when asked for his opinion on the fall-out. “Vinícius made an extraordinary year as well. He deserved it. Like in the past when [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] were fighting for that. The subject is over.”

Rúben Dias, who travelled to Paris with Rodri for the ceremony, also attempted to play down the dispute. “Being very honest I didn’t spend one second thinking if it was disrespectful or not,” he said.

“I was there, I celebrated with him, I was very happy for him. I didn’t spend my time thinking about it.”

It’s the fifth time in six seasons that City and Madrid have been drawn together in the Champions League. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were victorious on penalties last season while City were comfortable winners in 2023 — winning 4-0 at the Etihad — on their way to the treble.

This time, Guardiola has the added complication of worrying about Kylian Mbappé, as well as Vinícius, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham. The France international has scored 23 times in his first season in Madrid, including a goal in the 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid on Sunday.

“I think it’s impossible for 90 minutes or 180 minutes to control these four players,” Guardiola said. “They are exceptional. So how they combine, the runners, the ability one against one, how they keep the ball. So all four, they are exceptional. Everybody knows it. So we have to reduce their involvement as much as possible. Knowing that is going to happen, accept it.”

Dias, meanwhile, said Madrid should be wary of City’s stars, including Erling Haaland.

“I think since I have been there the most difficult season but I am a firm believer, even in the most difficult situations, you can achieve something beautiful,” the City defender said.

“We know how difficult it will be. But we have loads of guns in the dressing room and we just have to use them the right way.”