Pep Guardiola spoke about Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d’Or in previous years.

Guardiola coached Lionel Messi when he won the Ballon d’Or with FC Barcelona and he now coaches Rodri, the most recent winner of the Ballon d’Or. Speaking at a perss conference on Tuesday, here is what the Manchester City coach had to say about the trophy:

“I remember 3 La Masia players were nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Xavi and Iniesta could not win because Messi was a monster. Cristiano was a monster too and the father of the monster is Messi.”

🗣 Pep Guardiola on the Ballon d'Or: "I remember 3 La Masia players were nominated for the Ballon d'Or. Xavi and Iniesta could not win because Messi was a monster. Cristiano was a monster too and the father of the monster is Messi."pic.twitter.com/AWvTJ2cFes

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 29, 2024

Lionel Messi has congratulated the winners at the Ballon d’Or ceremony and the nomineed.

Messi was not at the Ballon d’Or ceremony but the eight time winner did post on social media congratulating those that were at the ceremony. He took to his Instagram and posted a picture of Emiliano Martínez and Lautaro Martínez together.

Here is what he wrote:

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for the Ballon d’Or 2024. Especially to Dibu, what a great, another award for the best goalkeeper in the world. And to Lautaro, to Leo (Scaloni) and Ale (Garnacho).”

Lionel Messi on Instagram: "Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for the Ballon d'Or 2024. Especially to Dibu, what a great, another award for the best goalkeeper in the world. And to Lautaro, to Leo (Scaloni) and Ale (Garnacho)." pic.twitter.com/de74rSEbPl

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 28, 2024

Lautaro Martínez has ranked seven in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Martínez has been included in the best players in the world. The Ballon d’Or rankings have been announced and while Rodri was named as the best player in the world, Lautaro was not far behind.

The Argentine won the Copa America with the Argentina national team while scoring the goal in the final. He also won the Copa America Golden Boot.

With Inter, he scored 38 goals and had five assists, winning Serie A, the Serie A Golden Boot, the Serie A MVP and the Italian Super Cup.

Emiliano Martínez has won the Yachine Trophy for the Best Goalkeeper award.

Martínez was named as the Best Goalkeeper in the world. The Argentine has now won the trophy twice, in consecutive years.

With the Argentina national team, Martínez won the 2024 Copa America and was named as the Copa America best goalkeeper.

Alejandro Garnacho has finished in sixth place in the Kopa Trophy rankings.

Garnacho is sixth in the trophy for the best player under the age of 21 for the season. With the Argentina national team, Garnacho won the 2024 Copa America and with Manchester United, won the FA Cup. Here was the top ten:

1. Lamine Yamal (Spain, FC Barcelona)

2. Arda Güler (Turkey, Real Madrid)

3. Kobbie Mainoo (England, Manchester United)

4. Savinho (Brazil, Manchester City)

5. Pau Cubarsi (Spain, FC Barcelona)

6. Joao Neves (Portugal, Paris Saint-Germain)

6. Alejandro Garnacho (Argentina, Manchester United)

8. Warren Zaïre-Emery (France, Paris Saint-Germain)

8. Mathys Tel (France, Bayern Munich)

8. Karim Konaté (Ivory Coast, Red Bull Salzburg)