Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked what his team's striker Erling Haaland would have to do to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or as the best player of the season. In response, Guardiola stressed that Haaland's main goal is not only to win the award, but also to win trophies. He stressed that Haaland is already achieving this goal and that his main priority is collective victories and achievements. Guardiola stressed the importance of teamwork and the impact of team success on individual awards.
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has shared his views on what striker Erling Haaland needs to do to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or as the best player of the season. Guardiola noted that while Haaland should play more and learn from his past experiences, his main goal is not just to win an individual award. Instead, Haaland’s goal is to win trophies, and he is already achieving that. Guardiola highlighted the importance of Haaland’s contribution to the team and noted that without his participation, Manchester City would not have won five trophies last season. He stressed that Haaland makes a significant contribution to the team’s collective success and is an integral part of their style of play.
Guardiola raised the issue of the importance of team achievements over individual accolades and noted that in team sports like football, collective achievement always carries more weight. He stressed that individual awards are the result of collective efforts and team achievements. Guardiola expressed confidence in Haaland's potential and qualities that make him worthy of a Ballon d'Or nomination. However, he noted that the final outcome will be determined not only by Haaland's individual performances, but also by the collective results and contributions of the entire team. Ultimately, Guardiola admitted that Haaland is an integral part of Manchester City's success and that his main motivation should be collective achievements and winning trophies, not just individual accolades.
Guardiola, in an interview with the BBC, stressed that success in football does not depend solely on a single player, including Erling Haaland. He expressed his belief that any football player can always improve until the end of his career. Guardiola stressed that the constant search for self-improvement, the search for new skills and the development of playing potential are important factors for success. Regarding last season's Ballon d'Or ceremony, Guardiola did not comment specifically on Haaland's position, who finished second to Lionel Messi. However, his comments on the constant search for improvement and growth can be seen as a general recommendation not only for Haaland, but for all players.
Guardiola stressed that a footballer's career is not limited to one award or one season. He noted that it is important to continue working on yourself, learn from your mistakes and strive to improve in every training session and match. Guardiola expressed his belief that players always have the potential to grow and reach new heights in their careers.
In summary, Guardiola's words emphasize the need for constant development and the pursuit of excellence to succeed in football. Regardless of individual achievements or rankings, players must remain motivated and determined to continually improve in order to reach new heights in their careers.