I'd give Ballon d'Or to Roldo: Spanish PM Rajoy

Madrid, Nov 11: Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said if it was up to him he would give Real Madrid Portuguese forward Cristiano Roldo this year’s Ballon d’Or, declaring that he would also hire the coach of the Spanish football team Vicente del Bosque as minister of education, culture and sport.

He stated that if he is re-elected on December 20, he intends to promote sports, reports Efe.

In an interview aired by El Larguero sports show on radio network Cade Ser, Rajoy said “The most important thing is to promote sports among children.

“It is one of the great efforts to improve education, because sports help you to be better and in sport there are the values of team spirit, sacrifice and fellowship.”

Rajoy also called for the creation of a new act that supports the arts, literature and science, which he can not issue during his current term due to a lack of fincial resources.

The minister also intends to maintain the secretary of state for sports and not create a new ministry specifically for this sector.

Asked his opinion regarding fans whistling at Barca defender Gerard Pique during intertiol matches, Rajoy explained that any Spanish player defending the colours of the tiol team must be supported all the way.

The interview also addressed the beginning of the secession process of the autonomous region of Catalonia by its regiol parliament, which gained support from former Barcelo coach and current Bayern Munich mager, Pep Guardiola.

“If I meet with Guardiola, I will greet him normally, despite thinking differently,” Rajoy maintained.

The Spanish politician concluded by saying that he would choose Roldo for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or and claimed that tennis player Rafael dal is the sportsman he enjoys watching the most.

Rajoy admitted that he would, if possible, give the education, culture and sport portfolio to Vicente del Bosque, describing him as a responsible, wise and trustworthy person. (IANS)