Girona says that both Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d’Or.

Haaland is up for the prestigious award because he scored 52 goals in Manchester City’s treble-winning season.

But Guardiola, the manager of City, has always said that the star player he used to coach at Barcelona and who led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup is the best player he has ever taught.

Guardiola said, “I always said that the Ballon d’Or should have two parts: one for Messi and one for everyone else.”

“Haaland should get it. Messi had the best season of any player because he scored 52 goals, which helped us win the treble. They both deserve it.

“If I had to choose, I’d say I want Erling because he helped us get where we are now. I would love it, but I won’t say it’s unfair if Leo wins.”

“Man City players will be there for the first time in a long time and will be taking a shot at these trophies, which is great.” And that makes us so proud of our group.

This weekend, Champions City hopes to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after losing to Wolves and Arsenal in their last two games before the international break.

They will have to work hard, though, because Brighton is coming to the Etihad Stadium, and Guardiola has been very impressed with how they’ve played under boss Roberto De Zerbi.

“He’s making Brighton a top club,” Guardiola said. Olivia MacAllister and Levi Colwill are no longer with the team, but they are still playing well.

“The last season was great too. They got into Europe, and if some calls hadn’t gone against them in the last few games, they might have been able to compete for the title.

“It is one of the toughest tests we have this season and we are going to try and go for it.”

City midfielder Kalvin Phillips has had a hard time getting playing time under Guardiola. This week, Phillips admitted that he needs to play more for his club team to keep his spot in the England group for Euro 2024.

That has made people think he might leave in January even more, and Guardiola didn’t rule that out at a press conference on Friday.

“The transfer window is over, and now we’re all here together,” he said. We love Kalvin when we need a game with changes or something with a lot of chaos.

“There are still one or two players who can do what you need to do better.” That’s the only reason.

“He’ll stay here until winter.” Nobody knows what will happen after the window is open, so I don’t know what will happen.

Guardiola said it was “so important” that Rodri came back this weekend because the important Spain player was missed a lot while he was out on suspension.

Rodri was sent off for three games after getting into a fight with Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest last month.

Coach Guardiola told Rodri, “You need to learn.” We need to keep our feelings in check and get up and leave. I think he will figure it out.