Guardiola supports Palestine, delivering an emotional message during a charity event held in Barcelona that drew attention across the football and humanitarian worlds. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola openly expressed his solidarity with Palestinians, saying the international community has failed to stand by them during their darkest moments.
Guardiola Appears Wearing Keffiyeh
The event took place in Barcelona, where more than 30 artists and public figures gathered to raise funds and awareness for Palestine. Guardiola appeared on stage wearing a keffiyeh, a strong symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance, and began his speech by greeting the audience in Arabic.
“Good evening. As-salamu alaykum,” the 55-year-old coach said, immediately drawing applause from the crowd.
“We Left Them Alone”
In a deeply emotional speech, Guardiola referred to images that have circulated over the past two years, especially videos of Palestinian children searching for their parents among rubble.
“When I see a child filming himself, crying and asking, ‘Where is my mother?’ while she is trapped under debris, I always think the same thing,” Guardiola said. “What must they be thinking? I believe we left them alone. We abandoned them.”
He continued by imagining the voices of Palestinians calling out to the world:
“I always feel like they are asking us, ‘Where are you? Come and help us.’ And until now — even today — we have not done that.”
A Consistent Voice for Palestine
This is not the first time Guardiola has spoken out in support of Palestine. The Spanish coach has previously criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and described the situation as a humanitarian tragedy. His remarks in Barcelona once again highlighted the suffering of civilians, especially children.
Despite an intense football schedule, Guardiola traveled to Barcelona shortly after Manchester City’s 2–0 Champions League victory over Galatasaray, a win that secured qualification for the tournament’s top eight. His presence at the event was seen as a clear sign of personal commitment rather than symbolic support.
Raising Awareness Beyond Football
Many attendees praised Guardiola for using his global influence to highlight humanitarian crises. In a world where football figures often avoid political or moral statements, Guardiola’s words stood out for their clarity and emotional weight.
By stepping forward at this event, Guardiola reminded audiences that silence also carries responsibility. His message resonated far beyond the hall in Barcelona, spreading quickly across social media and international news platforms.
While reactions may vary, one thing is clear: Guardiola supports Palestine not as a passing headline, but as a deeply held conviction he continues to express whenever possible.
