Rodri's secret to keeping his 'feet on the floor': Ballon D'or winner has been dating trainee surgeon he met at university for 8 years and says she reminds him he's 'still Rodrigo'

When I get to score, I always have a video of Laura celebrating the goal at home and I always watch it in a locker room.

The four-time Premier League winner previously revealed

I’d call her after every game, win or lose,

recalled the sportsman

To be fair to the Real Madrid players, if they didn’t even turn up to the Bernabéu for el clásico, it’s no surprise they didn’t go to Paris just for some awards ceremony

Noble Francis

Pep Guardiolamanager

All Manchester City, our fans, we are so proud of him,

Guardiola said, on the eve of Wednesday's League Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham Hotspur

This event has to be a joy, people have to accept the results,

he said

Pep Guardiolamanager

What can I say? Congratulations to him and all his family and friends,

Guardiola said at a press conference

Last season for example, Erling [Haaland] won the Treble, scored more than 50 goals. I said to him 'just being there, you have to be so happy'. I said the same to Rodri. If you are in the first two, three or four, it's exceptional. Last season, Erling should win, yes. Should Messi have won? Yes. It doesn't matter,

the Man City boss added

It's up to them. If they want to congratulate, that's fine. If not, that's fine as well. At Manchester City, we are not here to judge other clubs on what they decide they have to do."

Addressing the Madrid boycott, Guardiola said

Their importance in the last 10 or 15 years has been so important. I remember once we nominated three players from La Masia, Xavi and [Andreas] Iniesta couldn't beat [Lionel] Messi, he was a monster. Only [Cristiano] Ronaldo could,

he concluded

You and your teammates have done something amazing. Should it be Vinicius? Maybe. It's not an elite group, it's journalists who vote. Rodri made an incredible speech, he spoke about family and Spanish football. In the last decade, Spanish football has made such a difference, won a World Cup, Euros, and weren't able to win this award,

Guardiola further said

Pep Guardiolamanager

Nothing to say, if they want to go fine, if they don’t fine,

Guardiola said

Without me he wouldn’t win!”

Guardiola joked when asked about his own contribution to Rodri’s success

As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d'Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,

reads the communique

I'll do it 10x if I have to

Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior, 24, known as 'Vini' defiantly posted on X

And don't get me wrong, Rodri is a great player, who deserves to be among the best

More diplomatically, he added

Carlo Ancelotticoach

I want to thank my family, my president, my club, my players and above all Vini and [defender Dani] Carvajal.

Though he didn't turn up to collect his Coach of the Year award, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti pointedly mentioned Vinícius Júnior in his 'acceptance post' on social media, saying

Richarlisonbrazilian forward

If Vini doesn't win, SH*T IS GONNA GO DOWN.

Vini's Brazilian team-mate and Spurs forward Richarlison posted a live video with his head in his hand when the result was announced after saying earlier

All of us who live football await individual awards with great anticipation each season

Then he told his 22m Instagram followers

There was a lot of pressure from Real Madrid, but as with other clubs, I have always been very clear and fair and perhaps my silence pushed them to the limit,

Garcia added

Of course Vinicius suffered with the presence of Bellingham and Carvajal in the top five because, mathematically, that takes some points away from him,

Garcia told Marca