Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola addressed the question of whether Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior should have won the Ballon d'Or instead of City midfielder Rodri.
Guardiola said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano:
Vinicius should've won the Ballon d'or? Maybe, but it's what happened. It's journalists, it's not a group of elite people that decide what they have to do. It’s not a vote of just one country, but of the whole world. There are different opinions all over the world. That’s why football is so beautiful.
Last season, Spanish player Rodri participated in 50 matches for Manchester City, scoring nine goals and providing several assists. With the Citizens, he won the English Premier League and the Club World Cup. Additionally, he became the champion of the 2024 European Championship with the Spanish national team.
Vinicius secured second place in the Ballon d'Or voting. Last season, he won La Liga and the Champions League, scoring a goal in the final.