Ahead of the match against Tottenham in the English League Cup, coach Pep Guardiola was very happy when Rodri won the Golden Ball. He was proud that Spanish football is developing brilliantly when winning most of the noble awards such as the Golden Ball for men and women, the best young player in the world.

He shared: “I think that in the last decade, Spanish football has done extraordinary things, with many excellent coaches, many excellent players. The Spanish team won both the World Cup and the Euro. However, Spanish players could not win the Golden Ball.

And I think Rodri is the perfect representative of the excellence of Spanish football. Of course, Man City are very proud of this. Their influence in world football in the last 10, 15 years has been really important.

It’s not just about winning trophies, it’s about the way they play, the generations of coaches, the generations of players. I remember there were three players from Barcelona’s La Masia who were nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Xavi and Iniesta didn’t win because they met a monster there.

Messi is the one who no one can beat. Only C. Ronaldo is strong enough to compete. However, if C. Ronaldo is the monster, Messi is the monster’s father. Both have done extraordinary things in the past 15, 20 years.

Maybe, at that time, Xavi and Iniesta also deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. So, I think Rodri brought what Spanish football deserved all over the world.”

However, coach Pep Guardiola also admitted that Vinicius also deserved the Ballon d’Or: “If Vinicius wins the Ballon d’Or, it will be completely deserved. Like Erling Haaland last year. He couldn’t win even though he deserved it. But Haaland was there, he was happy, and congratulations to Lionel Messi. Okay, let’s do it again next season.”

Talking about Man Utd sacking coach Ten Hag, Pep Guardiola shared: “You know, I always feel sorry for coaches when they get sacked. It’s sad with Ten Hag. I have a great relationship with him. Ten Hag represents Man Utd at a high level in many ways.

Our coaching role is one of the few jobs where people expect to be sacked. Many people want you to be unemployed. We have to accept this. I send my best wishes to Ten Hag and his family. I wish him success in the future.

The match between Man City and Tottenham in the English League Cup will take place at 03:15 on October 31.