Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that “maybe” Vinicius Junior would have been a worthy recipient of the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, sparking a conversation about the criteria used to select the prestigious honor's winner.
In an interview conducted on Tuesday, Guardiola hinted that Vinicius’s performances over the past season might have earned him the top individual honor, although the award ultimately went to Manchester City’s own Rodri Hernandez. Guardiola praised Vinicius’s talent and achievements, subtly expressing that the Real Madrid forward could have justifiably won the award.
However, Guardiola was quick to note that the decision-making process for the Ballon d'Or does not rest solely in the hands of football experts. He pointed out that journalists, rather than a select group of elite football figures, are responsible for casting votes, which sometimes leads to outcomes that differ from the perspectives of those within the sport.
Guardiola commented, “Vinicius should’ve won the Ballon d'Or? Maybe, but that’s the reality of the process, and it’s what happened.”
The City manager explained, “It’s journalists, not a group of elite football people, who make the decision on who wins. It’s a global process, with journalists from all around the world casting their votes, not just one country’s perspective shaping the outcome.”
He went on to stress that if Vinicius had been awarded the Ballon d'Or, it would have been “more than well deserved” based on his impact and skill. Guardiola compared the situation to last season, when Erling Haaland, another City star, was in contention for the award but ultimately lost to Lionel Messi despite an exceptional season.
Reflecting on that scenario, Guardiola remarked, “Like last season with Erling Haaland… and he didn’t win! Erling was there, he was happy for Messi, congratulated him, and was okay with it, ready to try again next season.” Guardiola’s comments highlight the competitive nature of the Ballon d'Or and the level of respect the players have for each other, regardless of the outcome.