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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has likened Lionel Messi's and Cristiano Ronaldo' rivalry akin to that of father and son, tipping the former Barcelona star to get the edge over his Real Madrid counterpart.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered a fresh perspective, comparing two of football's greatest players, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Manchester City's Carabao Cup clash against Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola shared his admiration for the generational rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, likening it to a relationship between father and son.
The conversation took a personal turn when discussing Spanish midfielder Rodri, who yesterday won the Ballon d'Or.
Guardiola congratulated his star player, expressing that Rodri’s recognition represents a long-awaited victory for Spanish football.
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12:27 - 29.10.2024
'Where do I start'- Retired Real Madrid star Toni Kroos slams Balon d'Or final ranking
Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has expressed his discontent on the Balon d'Or final rankings, hinting at former teammate Vinicius Junior missing out on the prestigious award.
Reflecting on past generations, Guardiola noted that influential players like Xavi and Iniesta were often overshadowed by the intense competition between Messi and Ronaldo, particularly during their tenures at Barcelona and Real Madrid.
"I remember when three players from the academy of Barcelona La Masia were nominated. All three you know to win the Balon d'Or and Xavi and Iniesta could not win because there was a monster then," he said referring to Messi's dominance via Sky Sports.
"And Messi nobody could beat him. Maybe just Cristiano. Cristiano was a monster, but the father of the monster is Messi," he added to emphasize that while both players are great Messi takes the edge in his opinion.
"You know Spanish football the influence in the world football in the last 10 to 15 years have been massively important. Not just winning trophies but the way they play, the generations with the mangers and generations with the players."
The rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, both former La Liga stars, is one of the most celebrated in sports history.
Their contrasting styles with Messi's playmaking finesse versus Ronaldo’s athletic power captivated fans for over a decade and pushed both players to the peak of their performance.
Between them, they have won 13 Ballon d'Or titles with the Argentine claiming 8 and the Portuguese claiming 5.
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06:45 - 29.10.2024
'They're not ready' — Vinicius Jr reacts to losing Ballon d'Or to Rodri
Vinicius Jr published an initial reaction to losing the Ballon d'Or after Rodri was announced as the winner.
Internationally, Messi's crowning achievement was leading Argentina to Copa America and World Cup victories, while Ronaldo celebrated triumphs with Portugal in the European Championship and the Nations League.
Now, as another Spanish star, Rodri, steps into the spotlight, Guardiola sees this moment as a symbolic triumph for Spanish football, one he believes Xavi and Iniesta deserved in their prime.
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