Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has spoken out with deep emotion about the ongoing conflict in Gaza, declaring that the suffering “hurts my whole body”. The 54-year-old made the heartfelt remarks during a moving speech at the University of Manchester on Monday, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.
Addressing an audience at the graduation ceremony, Guardiola said: “It’s so painful what we see in Gaza; it hurts my whole body. It’s not about ideology or who’s right or wrong. It’s about the love of life and caring for your neighbour.”
The Spaniard went on to warn against indifference, stating: “We might think that seeing children as young as four being killed by bombs or in hospitals is not our business. But be careful. The next victims could be our own children.”
Guardiola, who is a father of three, said the suffering in Gaza had deeply affected him as a parent. “I see my children, Maria, Marius, and Valentina, and every morning since this nightmare started, I think of the children in Gaza. I’m terrified,” he admitted.
Renowned for his political openness, Guardiola has previously voiced support for Catalan independence and has never shied away from speaking on social issues. He was recognised by the university not only for his remarkable achievements in football, including guiding Manchester City to six Premier League titles, but also for his charitable efforts through the Guardiola Sala Foundation, which supports disadvantaged communities around the world.
Guardiola is one of several high-profile figures in football to speak out on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In October 2023, Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah publicly urged world leaders to act, calling on them to “prevent further slaughter of innocent souls”. A month later, Bundesliga club Mainz terminated the contract of Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi — now at Cardiff City — over his social media posts relating to the conflict.
Guardiola’s comments have since been widely shared on social media, drawing praise for their compassion and moral clarity amid an increasingly polarised public discourse.