Pep Guardiola continues to express his deep connection to Barcelona, the club where he built his reputation both as a player and a manager. Speaking about a potential meeting between Manchester City and Barcelona in the Champions League, Guardiola said, “I hope not to face Barca in the Champions League. The love and affection I have for Barca destroys me.” He reminisced about his time at the Catalan club, calling it the “team of my heart”. Guardiola’s emotional ties to Barcelona remain strong, despite his current success at Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola: "Lionel Messi is the greatest football player ever. Maybe I’m disrespecting Pelé and Diego Maradona, but I can’t imagine anyone like Messi, with his consistency….
"I saw that boy train every day and play every three days in an incredible way. When you see him up… pic.twitter.com/Q2jvz1S9gz
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) October 13, 2024
On another note, recent speculation suggested that Guardiola might consider the England national team job in the future, but the Spaniard denied these rumours. “It’s not true. I’m Manchester City manager. I’ve not decided anything, everything can happen. So I don’t know!” he clarified, emphasizing his focus on City for the time being while leaving his future options open.
When discussing legendary players, Guardiola couldn’t hide his admiration for Lionel Messi, declaring, “Leo Messi is the best football player ever.” He acknowledged that this might be seen as disrespectful to legends like Pele and Diego Maradona, but reaffirmed his belief in Messi’s consistency and unparalled talent. “He’s unique” Guardiola concluded, reinforcing the bond he shares with the Argentine, having managed the mercurial forward during their glorious years together at Barcelona.