Selling him to Manchester United was my BIGGEST MISTAKE!…We allowed him leave for just £50M and now he was ranked above all our players in the Balon d’Or ranking including Rodri”- Pep Guardiola regrets letting his “world class” star leave for just £50M who is now placed above their star boy in the Balon d’Or. Speaking in a recent interview, Guardiola was brutally honest about the mistake:player that Manchester City gave away for peanuts is now flourishing
“Selling Him Was My Biggest Mistake!” – Pep Guardiola Reflects on £50M Transfer Decision as Former Star Surpasses City Players in Ballon d’Or Rankings
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is renowned for his strategic squad decisions, but even the most calculated managers have moments of doubt. In a surprising revelation, Guardiola has reportedly expressed regret over selling a former player for just £50M, only to see him outshine all of City’s stars, including Rodri, in the latest Ballon d’Or rankings.
A Transfer Decision That Haunts City
Guardiola, known for his meticulous approach to squad building, rarely misjudges a player’s potential. However, in this case, he appears to have underestimated the talent of a player who has now blossomed into a world-class figure elsewhere. Reflecting on the decision, he reportedly admitted:
“We let him leave for just £50M, and now he’s ranked ahead of all our players in the Ballon d’Or, including Rodri. Selling him was my biggest mistake!”
At the time, City believed they could afford to part ways with the player, thinking the sale was smart business. Another club, however, saw what City failed to recognize, giving him the platform to flourish. Since then, his performances have been nothing short of sensational, elevating his club and earning him a place among the world’s best. His rise has left City fans questioning why the club allowed him to leave so easily.
Did Guardiola Make a Costly Error?
For a manager who has built one of the most dominant teams in football history, watching a former player outshine City’s current stars is undoubtedly a tough pill to swallow. While Manchester City continues to dominate English football, this transfer decision might stand as one of Guardiola’s biggest regrets.
The key question now is—will City and Guardiola ever make such a costly
mistake again?
