“It’s a show” Guardiola provides honest opinion on Ballon d’Or rankings

The Man City manager has reacted to this year’s controversial Ballon d’Or awards.

Lionel Messi defeated Robert Lewandowski in a close race to win his seventh Ballon d’Or title on Monday. The PSG star extended his incredible record for most Ballon d’Or wins.

However, the awards received widespread backlash from footballing figures who believed the final rankings were not fair.

Lewandowski won a treble with Bayern Munich in 2020, but France Football cancelled the Ballon d’Or due to the pandemic.

Many observers believed the Polish star deserved to win the prize for maintaining his form throughout the current year. He broke Gerd Muller’s record for most goals in a single Bundesliga season, scoring 41 goals last season.

In a pre-match press conference ahead of Man City’s match against Aston Villa, Pep Guardiola backed Messi for his achievement.

“Don’t ask me about that, it is what it is,” the former Barcelona coach said (via City Xtra).

“We can never say it’s unfair that Leo Messi wins the Ballon d’Or. Too much good about the performances. Come on, it’s a show, a nice business to make football more entertainment.

“A big compliment to Alexia, Pedri, Leo and all the awards. If he deserves it or no, I’m not the guy to say. Never would be unfair if he wins it.”

Guardiola has coached both Lewandowski and Messi during his spells at Bayern and Barcelona.

He added: “Lewa this season and last, with Hansi Flick and now Nagelsmann, the amount of goals and his quality he has, it would be fair, but at that level all the incredible seasons with the clubs and teams if they are there they deserve it.”