Man City vs Real Madrid: Guardiola plays down Ballon d’Or rift

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Man City vs Real Madrid: Guardiola plays down Ballon d’Or rift

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said the Premier League club has drawn a line under the Ballon d’Or controversy with Real Madrid.

Both teams face each other in the Champions League play-off first leg on Tuesday.

Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris in October after it was leaked that City midfielder Rodri would win the award ahead of Vinícius Júnior.

Ahead of the game at the Etihad, Guardiola claimed there is no ill feeling between the clubs.

“Happy for Rodri,” Guardiola said when asked for his opinion on the fallout.

“Vinícius had an extraordinary year as well. He deserved it.

“Like in the past when [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] were fighting for it. The subject is over.”

Rúben Dias, who travelled to Paris with Rodri for the ceremony, added: “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.”