Rodrigo a Ballon d'Or contender, says proud Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Rodrigo’s inspired displays at EURO 2024 for victors Spain served to further underline why he is a genuine contender to lift this year’s coveted Ballon d’Or award.

The City holding midfielder – an inspiration in the Club’s historic fourth straight Premier League title win last term – was also at his imperious best as Spain lifted the EURO 2024 trophy with victory over England in last week's final.

His displays in Germany saw the 28-year-old voted the Player of the Tournament and further strengthened his credentials in many people’s eyes in terms of winning the coveted Ballon d'Or award later this year.

Addressing the media ahead of City’s opening match on our 2024 USA Tour against Celtic on Tuesday evening, Guardiola made plain his own huge admiration for Rodrigo’s special qualities, saying they came as no surprise to him.

“When I saw Spain I saw him and he was the level he has been playing for many years. His consistency was good. Rodri, Aymeric Laporte, Ferran [Torres]... they were together and I am happy for them,” Guardiola declared.

“There are a few candidates for the Ballon d’Or. [From] Real Madrid, Manchester City… I can’t deny how happy he would be.

“To be in the race is fantastic for him, his family, friends and of course Manchester City. We are so proud.”

WATCH: Watch City's US tour matches on CITY+

Meanwhile, a recharged and refreshed Guardiola says he is raring to go and ‘really excited’ for the season ahead as City gear up for our first game match on our 2024 USA Tour.

City kick-off our 2024 USA Tour against the Scottish champions in North Carolina on Tuesday night in a game that will be shown live on CITY+ with kick-off set for 19.30pm EDT, 12.30pm (Wednesday, July 24, BST).

It’s the first of four fixtures that the Premier League champions will play whilst Stateside with City also primed to take on Italian side AC Milan in New York, Catalan giants Barcelona in Orlando and finally English rivals Chelsea in Columbus, Ohio.

And speaking at his pre-match press conference, the boss said he was eagerly looking ahead to both the opening encounter with Brendan Rodgers’ side at the Kenan Memorial Stadium and the season as a whole.

“I am really excited for this season that is coming,” declared the City boss.

“I am really happy here. Like every season I needed a break definitely but after that i recharge my batteries and i have the same energy as usual.

“I know the competition is coming and I am completely focused on that especially for my club.”

Addressing the tour in general, Guardiola also spoke about how much was looking forward to seeing the progress of James McAtee with the exciting young midfielder back at City after spending last season on loan at Sheffield United.

WATCH: City stars visit North Carolina Special Olympics

“I am curious to see Macca [James McAtee] especially after coming back from Sheffield United,” Pep added.

“We have a high opinion of him. I would love to have him next season with us - he can play in the small spaces in the pockets.

“I think he grew up in terms of physicality and has played for a team fighting relegation and when you do this you get something special.

“I know him well and know his potential - he has to play good for himself and the team."

Guardiola also discussed the transfer widow, which remains open until August 30

City have already signed Savinho, while Sergio Gomez departed last week to join Real Sociedad.

Meanwhile there has been speculation about both goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

WATCH: Dickov and Hartson test their City and Celtic knowledge!

However, Guardiola said he was relaxed in terms of the squad make-up and what may or may not unfold over the next month or so.

“Yes, I am delighted with the squad for many years. I don't know what will happen in the market but if someone leaves, we will talk about that.  We will have an option to have new players,” Pep said.

“Every situation is different I feel comfortable because the quality of the human beings we have in the squad is difficult to replace.”

USA TOUR 2024

City face Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea during the Club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

As always, mancity.com and the official app are the best places to keep across all things City during our time in the US.

Including pre-match press conferences and live open training as well as detailed and varied in-game and post-friendly coverage of all our fixtures, our website and app provide fans with a complete City experience, all from one handy place.

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Our matches will be shown on both platforms in the following countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Sweden and United Arab Emirates.

To access these matches from one of the locations listed above, you will need an active CITY+ subscription. Those same restrictions will apply to full-match replays and Pitcam highlights.

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For fans living outside of the countries named, we will have a full explainer article on how to tune in coming in due course.

Subscribers will be able to watch on the official app and mancity.com, with the option to cast matches onto their TV from mobile devices. Find out how to do this via our handy guide here.

For more information on CITY+, including subscription prices, click here.