Guardiola says no resentment lingers towards Real Madrid over Ballon d’Or snub Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City harbour no ill-feeling towards Real Madrid over their Ballon d’Or boycott as the sides prepare to renew their rivalry.
Guardiola is well aware Vinicius is one of Madrid’s most dangerous players and admits City will have their work cut out to contain him and their other attacking weapons Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo.
Madrid’s representatives failed to attend the ceremony to crown the world’s best player last year after apparently hearing in advance that City’s Rodri had won it ahead of their own prime candidate Vinicius Junior.
City have prevailed twice, most memorably in the semi-finals en route to their eventual victory in the competition two years ago, with Real winning the other two, including in last year’s quarter-finals.
It is the fifth time City have been paired with Real in a knockout tie during Guardiola’s tenure and the fourth year in succession.
